Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory Seeds

• Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory
• The extra-early sugarloaf chicory Plant
• How to Sow Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory
• How to Grow Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory
• Tips for Growing Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory
• Diseases and Pests of Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory
• Properties and Nutritional Values

Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory

The extra-early sugarloaf chicory is the fastest selection of the famous variety also known as "Milan chicory", bred for gardeners wanting to bring the harvest forward compared to mid-season and late types. With a cycle of about 80 days from transplanting, it forms cylindrical, compact and voluminous heads with the characteristic white, tender heart.

The extra-early sugarloaf chicory Plant

It belongs to the species Cichorium intybus var. foliosum, family Asteraceae. At maturity the head reaches an height of up to 40 cm and an average weight between 500 and 800 grams, very compact at the base and opening into a bouquet of leaves at the top. The leaves are broad, with entire and slightly wavy margins, pale green with prominent white longitudinal veins; the base has fleshy, crunchy white ribs.

How to Sow Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory

Thanks to its short cycle, sowing can take place from June to September, with staggered harvests from late summer through to late autumn. It is sown in seedbeds or directly in the open field, then thinned to about 30x30 cm spacing, corresponding to 10-20 plants per square metre.

How to Grow Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory

It prefers medium-textured, cool, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It is a rustic and highly adaptable plant, with fair tolerance to both heat and low temperatures, though it dislikes persistent frost at sowing time. Watering should be kept regular, avoiding waterlogging, especially in the hottest months to prevent bolting.

Tips for Growing Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory

To make the most of this selection's earliness, it is useful to stagger sowings every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests without gluts. Cutting the head slightly higher above the collar allows the plant to produce new regrowth, extending the harvest season.

Diseases and Pests of Extra-Early Sugarloaf Chicory

The most common issues are powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust and leaf spot among fungal diseases, plus collar rot in cases of waterlogging. Good crop rotation, avoiding following chicory with other composite crops, helps prevent these problems.

Properties and Nutritional Values

It has a low energy content, rich in minerals such as potassium and vitamins including provitamin A and vitamin C. The slightly bitter compounds it contains support liver and gallbladder function, making it a welcome salad even in controlled diets.