How to Grow Catalogna Spadona
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Catalogna Spadona
Cichorium intybus var. catalogna
vegetableCatalogna Spadona is a Italian chicory variety prized for its long, tender, sword-like leaves and blanched hearts. It's a cool-season green that develops a slightly bitter, pleasantly complex flavor when mature. This heirloom variety is popular in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Italian cooking.
When should you plant Catalogna Spadona in your zone?
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Example Catalogna Spadona timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Catalogna Spadona
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Catalogna Spadona
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9, best as a cool-season crop
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Get my Catalogna Spadona timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by the first true leaves with characteristic jagged edges
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Provide bright light to prevent legginess.
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeksPlant develops a rosette of increasingly longer, deeply lobed leaves; leaves are green with prominent white veins
Water consistently and maintain moderate temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Fertilize every 3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Remove any flower bolts that appear early.
Leaf Development
2-3 weeksDistinctive long, narrow, sword-like leaves extend outward in a loose head; leaves become more tender with proper blanching
Begin blanching by tying outer leaves together or covering the center with a light-blocking material 1-2 weeks before harvest to lighten inner leaves and reduce bitterness.
Maturation
1-2 weeksFull plant reaches 12-18 inches tall with a well-formed rosette of long leaves; blanched inner leaves become cream to pale yellow
Harvest outer leaves continuously or allow the entire plant to mature. Cooler fall temperatures enhance flavor and texture. Protect from hard frosts.
Harvest-Ready
2-4 weeksPlant displays tender blanched heart leaves surrounded by outer green foliage; plant is at peak tenderness and flavor
Ready for final harvest. Cut plants at soil level for whole plant harvest, or continue picking outer leaves for extended harvest.
Common Pests
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and
Remove by hand, use beer traps, apply copper tape barriers, or sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants
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Spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs, or apply neem oil
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Use row covers, apply neem oil, introduce natural predators, or use spinosad spray
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Remove affected leaves, use reflective mulch, apply spinosad, or encourage parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), apply neem oil, or grow with companion plants like basil
Uses
Italian Cooking & Salads
CulinaryCatalogna is a staple in Italian cuisine, used raw in salads where its tender blanched leaves provide a slightly bitter flavor, or grilled and sautéed with garlic and olive oil. The leaves are prized for their delicate texture and complex taste. [source]
Grilled & Roasted Preparation
CulinaryThe long leaves are excellent when brushed with olive oil, grilled until slightly charred, and finished with balsamic vinegar. Roasting mellows the bitterness while adding a pleasant caramelized flavor. [source]
Digestive & Liver Support
MedicinalChicory contains inulin and other compounds traditionally used in herbal medicine to support digestive health and liver function. The slightly bitter compounds stimulate digestive secretions. [source]
Coffee Substitute & Beverage
HouseholdChicory root can be roasted and used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute or additive. The roots have a naturally sweet, slightly woody flavor when roasted. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt, Catalogna produces attractive blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The plant provides nectar and pollen when in bloom. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves 60-90 days after planting when they reach 6-12 inches long. Cut leaves 1-2 inches above the soil line to encourage continued growth. For blanched hearts, tie the outer leaves together 1-2 weeks before final harvest to block light. Harvest entire plant by cutting at soil level, or harvest individual leaves for extended production. Best flavor is in fall after cool nights. Morning harvesting when plants are crisp and hydrated yields the best texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Catalogna Spadona translates to 'Sword Catalogna' in Italian, referring to the distinctive long, blade-like shape of its leaves
- 🌱 This heirloom variety has been cultivated in Italy for centuries and remains a specialty crop in regions like Puglia and Lazio
- 🌱 The blanching technique used for Catalogna encourages the production of inulin, a prebiotic fiber beneficial for digestive health
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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