Chicory

The slightly bitter vegetable with the Latin name Cichorium intybus was first grown near Brussels in the 1840s by trimming the leaves and forcing the roots to produce pale white-and-yellow chicons in the darkness of the soil.

Chicory prefers a light well dug soil which is reasonably fertile but it is tolerant of poor soil. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It's a good crop for growing between rows of peas and sweet corn. At the beginning of the season the chicory will get full sun. As the season progresses the growing peas / sweet corn will shade the chicory from the full sun.