Natacha

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Tender, tightly ruffled fronds unfurl in a cool-season crescendo—Natacha’s frisee forms a crisp, feathery head with a luminous green heart and softly blanched outer tones.

The flavor is pleasantly bittersweet, with a clean snap and delicate texture that holds beautifully from garden to bowl. Grow Natacha for fresh salads and elegant frisee-forward plates, and for quick sautéing or braising when you want its ruffles to turn silky and fragrant.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Natacha frisee brings an elegant bittersweet bite with a fragile, feathery crunch—dress it while it’s cold so those ruffles hold shape. For cooking, give it a fast sauté or brief braise so the outer tones go silky without losing the green heart’s bright snap.

Best Uses

classic frisee salad with a sharp vinaigrette that clings to the ruffles
warm lardon-style sauté or quick pan-braise to turn it silky while keeping some bite
tucking into composed plates as a cool, bitter counterpoint to rich proteins and fats

Flavor Profile

pleasantly bittersweet clean, crisp snap feathery tender fronds with a softly blanched sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

mustard vinaigrette bacon or lardons poached or soft-boiled egg Parmesan shallot gruyère

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat downy mildew in Cichorium endivia (frisée) if leaves start turning yellowish and patchy?

Frisée (Cichorium endivia) commonly gets downy mildew when conditions are cool and damp. Improve airflow between plants and avoid wetting the leaves—water at soil level early in the day. If you spot mildew, remove badly affected leaves and use a labeled fungicide for downy mildew on leafy greens, then continue preventive sanitation (clean tools, remove debris).

How often should I water Cichorium endivia (frisée) during the 60-day growing phase for best leaf texture?

During active growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for even moisture in the top 2–3 inches. In typical home gardens, that usually means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during dry spells or heat while making sure excess water drains. Avoid letting soil swing dry-to-wet, which can cause bitterness and poor, loose leaf heads.

What are the best signs that frisée (Cichorium endivia) is ready to harvest around day 60?

Harvest when outer leaves are fully sized and crisp, with frilly edges typical of frisée and leaves about 6–10 inches long (depending on your spacing). You can do a “cut-and-come-again” harvest by removing the outer leaves first, or harvest the whole plant when the rosette is well developed. If leaves turn overly tough or begin to bolt (flower stalk forming), harvest immediately to avoid a more bitter, stringy taste.