Lettuce (Puntarelle / Cicoria di catalogna / Cicoria asparago)

Plant family

Daisy family (Asteraceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Seeding distance

35 cm

Row spacing

35 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

Description

Pointed Catalan chicory (cicoria catalogna cimata), also called puntarelle, asparagus chicory, volcanic asparagus, leaf chicory and cut chicory is a group of varieties of chicory (Cichorium intybus). It is cultivated especially in Italy in the regions of Lazio and Veneto. Its outer leaves show the relationship to dandelion by their shape. Like other chicory, the taste of the leaves is quite bitter. The inner heart of Catalogna is somewhat milder. It can be used both cooked and raw.

Growing tips

Requires nutrient-rich soils. Without enough nutrients, the taste becomes more bitter and some of it is no longer edible. Must be protected during heavy frost, cultivation under film in winter is recommended. Resistant to pests. Tolerates drought and heat well. Distance between plants between 35-60 cm.