Eliance Escarole is a compact, open-pollinated variety of endive that reaches harvest in just 50 days from transplants, making it one of the quickest routes to a crisp, harvestable head. Hardy across zones 2 through 11, this upright grower resists bolting even as temperatures warm, a trait that matters enormously when you're trying to stretch the season. Its slow-to-bolt nature and cool-weather preference make it a reliable choice for spring and fall plantings, while its compact growth habit means it won't sprawl across your bed or compete aggressively with neighbors.
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2-11
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Moderate
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Eliance Escarole delivers remarkable speed from transplant to table at just 50 days, paired with an upright, slow-bolting habit that keeps heads tight and harvestable even when weather turns temperamental. The compact growth lets you squeeze six inches of spacing between plants, translating to serious productivity in a small footprint. Its frost tolerance extends the season into colder months, while the open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seed and watch the variety adapt to your own garden year after year.
Escarole leaves, tender and slightly bitter, are typically harvested as whole heads and used raw in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. The blanched inner leaves are particularly prized for their milder flavor and delicate texture, and the plant works equally well in Mediterranean-style braised preparations or simply tossed fresh with citrus vinaigrettes.
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Sow seeds indoors in flats or cell packs, aiming for germination temperatures between 50 and 75°F. Johnny's Selected Seeds reports approximately 500 plants per 1,000 seeds when sowing two seeds per cell and thinning to one seedling. Time your indoor sowing to have transplant-ready seedlings available 4 to 6 weeks before your target outdoor planting date.
Transplant outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring, or 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost. Space plants six inches apart in rows eighteen inches wide. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before final planting. Eliance reaches harvest in 50 days from transplant, so plan accordingly to avoid maturity during peak summer heat.
Direct sowing is possible but less common for escarole; transplants offer better control over spacing and timing. If direct sowing, sow seeds at the soil surface or very shallow, keeping soil consistently moist until germination occurs.
Harvest whole heads by cutting just above the root attachment with a sharp knife. Eliance reaches harvestable maturity in 50 days from transplant; monitor plants as they approach this window and harvest when heads feel firm and crisp. For peak quality, harvest in the early morning. The entire head can be used; outer leaves are more bitter and suitable for cooking, while inner leaves are tender and mild enough for raw salads.
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