Sow in May

🥬 Cichorium intybus ‘Zuccherina di Trieste’ – Sweet, Tender Leaf Chicory for Salads and Cooking

‘Zuccherina di Trieste’ is a traditional Italian leaf chicory variety prized for its smooth, elongated green leaves and exceptionally mild, slightly sweet flavour. Unlike many chicories, it has very low bitterness, making it ideal for fresh salads, as well as for light cooking, sautéing and braising. Fast-growing and reliable, this variety is well suited to kitchen gardens, raised beds and containers, and can be harvested young as baby leaves or grown on for full-sized heads.

Life cycle: Annual (grown for leaves)

Key Features

● Mild, sweet-flavoured leaf chicory with minimal bitterness

● Smooth, elongated green leaves

● Excellent for salads, sautéing and cooking

● Fast-growing and easy to grow

● Suitable for beds, raised beds and containers

How to Sow & Grow Chicory ‘Zuccherina di Trieste’ (UK)

Direct outdoors: III–VIII (March–August)

Sow indoors: II–III (February–March)

Transplant outdoors: III–IV (March–April) once seedlings are strong

Harvest: IV–X (April–October)

Germination temperature: 10–20 °C (50–68 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 1 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Soil type: Fertile, well-drained soil

Plant spacing: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)

Height: 25–35 cm (10–14 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Harvest young leaves regularly for the best flavour.

● Suitable for cut-and-come-again harvesting.

● Tolerates cooler temperatures well.

● Can be grown throughout the season with successional sowing.

● Ideal for Mediterranean-style and kitchen gardens.

Special Features

● Traditional Italian salad chicory

● Very mild taste compared to most chicories

● Excellent versatility in the kitchen

Allium porrum ‘Blue Green Autumn’ – Reliable Autumn Leek with Strong, Blue-Green Shanks

‘Blue Green Autumn’ is a dependable mid-season leek variety producing thick, blue-green shanks with excellent flavour and smooth texture. It is ideal for harvesting from early to mid-autumn, offering robust plants that stand well in the ground and tolerate cooler temperatures. Perfect for soups, roasting, braising and everyday kitchen use, this variety is valued for uniform growth, strong plants and a long harvesting window.

Key Features

● Mid-season leek with sturdy blue-green stems

● Excellent autumn harvest window

● Strong, upright plants that tolerate cool weather

● Smooth texture and mild, refined flavour

● Suitable for beds, allotments and kitchen gardens

How to Sow & Grow Leek ‘Blue Green Autumn’ (UK)

Sow indoors: II–IV (February–April) in trays or modules

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) when seedlings reach pencil thickness

Direct outdoors: III–IV (March–April) in a prepared seedbed

Harvest: IX–XI (September–November)

Germination temperature: 15–20 °C (59–68 °F)

Average germ time: 10–21 days

Depth: 0.5–1 cm (¼–½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep evenly moist

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost

Plant spacing: 15–20 cm (6–8 in) between plants; 30–45 cm (12–18 in) between rows

Height: 40–60 cm (16–24 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Trim roots and tops lightly before transplanting to encourage strong growth.

● Plant seedlings into deep holes (10–15 cm) without backfilling — soil will settle naturally.

● Earth up during the season to increase the length of white shank.

● Water consistently in dry spells for tender stems.

● Suitable for staggered sowings for extended autumn cropping.

Special Features

● Beautiful blue-green stems with excellent standing ability

● Reliable mid-season leek for cool-climate gardens

● Superb flavour and texture for autumn dishes