Italian Dandelion

I haven't planted my Italian Dandelion yet but plan to do so this Spring.

I can provide an updated review on my experience with Chickory Greens verses Italian Dandelion greens here in North Texas near Dallas.

While the heat is always a challenge in the summer months. here in North Texas, I have been able to trim green leaves from both Italian Dandelion and Chickory all summer. Both were planted in raised beds. Chickory was planted in full sun with a heavy 5 or 6 inches of shredded cardboard mulch. Chickory is hairy so the cardboard mulch also provided protection from getting dirty. No bug issues with either. Italian Dandelion had more shade just because of the shape of the backyard. No mulch around Italian Dandelion. They have smooth stems and are easy to clean.

I like bitter greens. They seem to be very healthy with a number of health benefits. Chickory leaves are bigger than Italian Dandelion. Italian Dandelion leaves are large, but narrow with long smooth stems. Chickory has deep roots which helps in the Texas heat.

Rabbits like both plants. However I have seen no bug issues with either Chickory or Italian Dandelion. I like bitter greens and these two are my favorite garden plants along with onions, garlic, and garlic chives. It looks like with the brutal heat of North Texas, these two greens allow consumption year round.except in the winter months when I can switch over to Spinach. Spinach does well here in the colder winter months while bugs are not an issue. I think I have found the best options for fresh greens in North Texas all year long.

Fantastic, a huge favorite, tastes great!

I wasn't sure if they would grow here in central Florida zone 9b/10, but they germinated and grew just fine. I planted them at the end of October when the temperatures dropped to around 75 daytime temperature. It is the end of December and still growing.

Not sure if I sowed these at the wrong time, in the wrong place, the seeds are not good for my area (8b), or they were a bit old. Either way, they have been very slow to germinate in my Community Garden plot. After more than a month in the ground, I now notice tiny, tiny, tiny little green shoots. Could this be them, LOL? I'll be patient and have covered them for the cooler weather along with my other greens and brassicas. Will update this as thing develop, or not.