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FENICE CASTELFRANCO

FENICE CASTELFRANCO

Product Description:

Cichorium intybus 65 days. Light green, serrated-edged leaves are speckled in splashes of ruby and wrap to form tight, dense heads that unfurl into knockout rosettes with a pleasant, mildly bitter flavor. The plants reach 11 inches tall and 16 inches wide and hold up extremely well in the field. Approximately 160 seeds per 1/4 gram.
  • Key Features:

ORGANIC SEED

$4.25

$4.25

  • Key Features:

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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C
Craig
Love it

The package directions are contraindicative to the actual plant. Yes, you can plant it in spring after the last frost, however, if you do, it will be a solid, light green. This needs to be started later in the year, so that it can experience the cooler nights, and it will produce beautifully speckled, loose (sometimes tight) heads. It's relatively resistant to frost too. It imparts a nice bitter flavor to salads, and you can even cook it like greens. I was never able to get this to go to seed despite planting it in spring and letting several heads grow all summer long into fall. We wound up just eating them. If you look this variety up on the web, in its Italian home, it is only available for sale for a few months in the fall.

g
greg
came up but it's solid green

Solid green and mild. Not what it was supposed to be.

Soil Temp for Germ 50–70°F
Seed Depth ¼–½"
Seed Spacing 1–2"
Days to Emergence 2–15
Thin Plants to 6–12"
Row Spacing 16–18"
Fertilizer Needs Low
Seeds per Gram Listed per variety

Savor the flavors that fill the kitchens of Europe. Fast and easy to grow, greens are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Enjoy them in soups, lightly steamed, or raw for a low calorie and highly nutritious part of your diet.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of transplant.

Culture
• Gourmet greens perform best when planted in early spring or fall
• Most will tolerate light to moderate frosts with minimal cover
• Plants are most vigorous and the flavors are better when daytime air temperatures are between 60-70°F
• Most greens are best direct sown
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost
• Cover seeds with Reemay or Grow Guard 20 to help deter birds and improve germination
• Sow greens every couple of weeks to ensure a continuous supply of young plants

Direct Sowing
• Use row cover to improve germination and prevent soil crusting
• Thin as soon as 2-3 true leaves have formed

Transplanting
• Start indoors 4-6 weeks before anticipated transplant date

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Aphids and flea beetles
• Insect control: Strong spray of water, or applications of Pyrethrin or Neem oil
• Disease prevention: 3-4 year crop rotation, and proper plant spacing allows air circulation to prevent molds

Harvest & Storage
• Harvest greens frequently and when young
• As with all greens, a rinse in cold water will help preserve the flavor and texture

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