Chicory Growing Guide

All you need to know to grow successfully!

Plant Family:
Asteraceae
Plant Type:
Perennial
Typical Season:
Cool season
Typical Zones Grown In:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Growing Difficulty:
Medium

Limitless Growth Tips to Growing Chicory With Success

Chicory is one of the most underrated plants in the garden.  It is actually sometimes seen as a weed, however, we should be embracing chicory almost more than the grass itself!   Chicory is in the dandelion family and is extremely useful.  The root can be used as a coffee substitute.  Flowers draw bees in, which increases your crop production.  The flowers and leaves are edible in salads and are pretty comparable to the taste of arugula.

Chicory is an extremely easy plant to grow.  The following is a guide on how you can grow your own chicory!

Planting Guidelines

The following are general guides to follow. However, nothing is set in stone. Feel free to experiment!

How to Start:
Direct Sow, Start Indoor
When to Direct Sow:
April, July, August
When to Start Indoors:
July, March, June
Sprouting Time:
2-15 days
Soil Temperature (C):
10-22
Depth:
5mm (¼”)
Spacing (cm):
30-45cm (12-18″)
Row Spacing (cm):
30-45cm (12-18″)
Sun Exposure:
Part Shade, Full Sun
Maturity Time:
80-90
When To Harvest:
July, November, October, June
How to Harvest:
Use as a cut and come again crop or let the heads develop and cut at ground level. Many will grow back.

Health Benefits

Growing your own food is one of the best things you can do for your health. Let’s check out some of the health benefits!

Is It Edible?
Yes
Edible Parts:
Leaves, buds, roots
Potential Health Benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory, Prebiotic Fiber, Digestive System, Blood Sugar Control, Weight Loss
Read More About The Health Benefits

Tips to Growing Organically

Growing without the use of pesticides and herbicides is easier than you may think and it’s better for the environment!

Companion Plants:
Carrot, Onion , Fennel, Tomato
What Plants to Avoid:
Common Pests:
Aphids – Water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash the plant off with water occasionally as needed early in the day.
Common Disease:
Moulds and rot from heavy rains can be prevented by growing under cover. Tip burn is a calcium deficiency within the plant that can be caused by an imbalance with over nutrients. Make sure you have limed the soil, do not over-fertilize and harvest just before full maturity to avoid it.
Bonus Grow Tips:
Chicory is part of the dandelion family. You can use the root to make a coffee substitute to kick that habit. The chicory family includes the food plants endive and radicchio.

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