Forcing witloof chicory

[@suemowat222]

I've often wondered about growing chicory - now I know. Your explanations are always detailed and really helpful.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

It’s a really fun thing to grow, especially at this time of year 🙂

[@plantaplant]

Superb video friend

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thank you! :)

[@cew9837]

I've never grown chicons.... maybe will have a go next ... need to sort put understairs cupboard first!

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

There's a reason the understairs cupboard does not feature in the video! 😂

[@simonrous4426]

Johnny - I have just discovered your channel and love it, the detail, the measured pace, the obvious experience. I have subscribed. I look forward to going through your back catalogue. My only comment on the endive video is that Belgian KZbin sites (with 2ft long tap roots haha 😂) cut the root one inch down the root removing the crown whereas you cut 3 inches higher up saving the crown and even a bit of the leaf. Take a look and tell us what you think. By the by, the way you enunciate “delicious”, “braise” and “vinaigrette” makes me suspect you are as much a devotee of the kitchen as you are in the veg (kitchen) garden, but that’s another story!

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Welcome and thanks so much for your comment 🙂 If you have a link to one of those videos I’d be very interested to see how they are doing it. I haven’t seen anyone cut the root back before and only recall seeing recommendations to cut above the crown so that is new to me - I would expect that to remove the meristem and put and end to growth so I am most curious! You are quite right - I am also an enthusiastic cook 🙂

[@simonrous4426]

Johnny - look at this video. Ignore the first half introduction and get to the bit half way through with experienced gardeners gnarled hands cutting the roots and inch below the crown Regards. Simon. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKGrn5WNe9Kph9E

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks! I think on this one, though, they are still cutting above the top of the root - at around the 4 minute mark they say 1cm above the growing point. It looks a little unclear because the roots are so muddy, but I think they are just removing the top growth, admittedly a lot closer than I did. I allowed plenty with these roots because they were so fat, but perhaps I could have cut them back a lot more - I don't think it makes much difference, so long as the growing point is intact...

[@helenvanginkel7910]

Oh I definitely need to try growing these myself! Witloof is my favorite vegetable ❤ When do I start sewing the seeds to grow the root?

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Late May or early June is probably ideal. I checked an old sowing plan and had them down for the first week or two of June. I would recommend sowing direct so as not to disturb the taproot.

[@tanyareynolds1960]

Genius video Jonny. I've been waiting for this one and it doesn't disappoint 👍 I'm amazed by the results and totally inspired. Would it be too late to start the forcing stage now?

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks :) I think it would be fine right now - if the roots are in good condition (and they can't be worse than mine!) they have probably had a good bit of cold and should be ideal for forcing.

[@carlaburgers3088]

Can I put the roots in the fridge for a week or so? It's very warm here in the Sunshine Coast of Australia. Please advice.

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

It's so nice to see a human produced video on this subject. I'm very tired of garden videos produced by robots with really poor taste in music.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks! :)

[@jamesrussell7775]

A most interesting video. Can I ask where you got your plastic potting tray? It looks more useful than the basic bog standard ones! Kind regards, James

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

I probably picked it up in a local garden centre; it would have been years ago and the label is long gone. I did note a stamp in the moulding that says Ward Strata - a quick search suggests it is no longer available (?) but I think there are a few others of similar design.

[@jamesrussell7775]

@@jonnyskitchengarden Thanks for that, and for your most useful videos about tomato grafting. Kind regards, James

[@helentc]

Thanks for the video Jonny, very informative. I was unclear about what you were saying at roughly the 30 minute mark. Are you returning those particular roots to an outdoor bed? I thought you could just cut off the Chicons and they would grow back. Do you need to keep returning them to an outdoor bed? Or do you need to re-seed?

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

With these, I just cut off the chicons and they gave a couple more more harvests before they went ratty. At the end of the video I was thinking about what I would do next season - sowing direct and closer together to get smaller but better formed roots. These roots went on the compost after three cuttings.

[@helentc]

@@jonnyskitchengarden Thanks for clarifying. Got it. :) Still pretty good returns. I think I'll seed a few more in pots...and then plant out close together as you suggest.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

They are handy as they can be stored in a cold spot and potted up and forced whenever you like - a welcome addition in mid winter 🙂

[@helentc]

@@jonnyskitchengarden I love the idea of filling the hunger gap when not much else is available in the garden.

[@bambraparker]

can I eat the outer leaves?

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Yes indeed - they are ideal for a winter salad :)

[@alexwonner7469]

Thanks for this wonderful tutorial. The best so far regarding « les chicons »…

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🙂