How to prune escarole 'batavian full heart'

Remove outer leaves throughout the season; blanch 1–2 weeks before harvest in autumn. Remove yellowed or damaged outer leaves by snapping or cutting them cleanly at the base. For blanching, loosely gather and tie the outer leaves over the head on a dry day, checking daily for rot, then harvest once the inner leaves are pale and creamy.

As needed for leaf removal; once per growing cycle for blanching. Escarole 'Batavian Full Heart' is a large-headed chicory that needs little more than removal of damaged outer leaves during growth. Inner leaves self-blanch naturally in the tightly packed head. If bitterness is a concern, tie the outer leaves over the heart for 7–10 days before harvest to further whiten inner growth.

Remove yellowed or damaged outer leaves by snapping or cutting them cleanly at the base. For blanching, loosely gather and tie the outer leaves over the head on a dry day, checking daily for rot, then harvest once the inner leaves are pale and creamy.