Close up of Castelfranco radicchio heads in a wicker basket showing light green ruffled leaves flecked with red on a wooden table

Gourmet Greens

Savor the flavors that fill the kitchens of Europe. Fast and easy to grow, greens are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Enjoy them in soups, lightly steamed, or raw for a low calorie and highly nutritious part of your diet.

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The Growing Guide

Soil Temp for Germ 50–70°F
Seed Depth ¼–½"
Seed Spacing 1–2"
Days to Emergence 2–15
Thin Plants to 6–12"
Row Spacing 16–18"
Fertilizer Needs Low
Seeds per Gram Listed per variety

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More About The Seeds & Plants

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Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding (unless otherwise noted).

Culture
• Gourmet greens perform best when planted in early spring or fall
• Most will tolerate light to moderate frosts with minimal cover
• Plants are most vigorous and the flavors are better when daytime air temperatures are between 60-70°F
• Most greens are best direct sown
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost
• Cover seeds with Reemay or Grow Guard 20 to help deter birds and improve germination
• Sow greens every couple of weeks to ensure a continuous supply of young plants

Direct Sowing
• Use row cover to improve germination and prevent soil crusting
• Thin as soon as 2-3 true leaves have formed

Transplanting
• Start indoors 4-6 weeks before anticipated transplant date

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Aphids and flea beetles
• Insect control: Strong spray of water, or applications of Pyrethrin
• Disease prevention: 3-4 year crop rotation, and proper plant spacing allows air circulation to prevent molds

Harvest & Storage
• Harvest greens frequently and when young
• As with all greens, a rinse in cold water will help preserve the flavor and texture

Its hard to pick a single gourmet green, but Fenice Castelfranco Radicchio is our employee favorite gourmet green for its striking beauty and exceptional flavor. Its creamy leaves flecked with red offer a mild, nutty taste and delicate texture. Versatile and resilient, it thrives in cool weather and elevates salads with both elegance and outstanding taste.

Fenice Castelfranco Radicchio

Vegetable | radicchio | castelfranco

From $4.35

Cichorium intybus 65 days. Light green, serrated-edged leaves are speckled in splashes of ruby and wrap to form tight, dense heads that unfurl into knockout rosettes with a pleasant, mildly bitter flavor. The plants reach 11 inches tall and 16 inches wide and hold up extremely well in the field. Approximately 160 seeds per 1/4 gram.