Grow Chicory Easily With These Helpful Tips

Grow Chicory Easily With These Helpful Tips

Growing chicory is a breeze if you understand its needs. This versatile plant can thrive in vegetable gardens, flower beds, or even containers.

If you’ve ever admired a roadside dotted with wildflowers, you’ve likely seen chicory in action. Its striking blue blooms make it a favorite for both gardeners and pollinators.

Understand Chicory’s Preferences

Chicory loves the sun. Plant it in a spot where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

The soil should be well-draining, but chicory isn’t too fussy. It can handle poorer soils, which makes it perfect for areas where other plants might struggle.

Choose Between Leaf and Root Varieties

There are two types of chicory: one grown for its leaves, like radicchio, and another for its roots, often roasted to make chicory coffee. Decide which suits your needs before planting.

If you’re after tender leaves, go for Belgian endive or sugarloaf chicory. For roots, wild chicory is your go-to.

Planting Tips for Success

Tip: Sow chicory seeds directly into the soil in early spring or late summer for a continuous harvest.

Space seeds about 6-12 inches apart to give the plants room to grow. Cover them lightly with soil, about 1/4 inch deep.

Water gently but consistently. Moist soil helps seeds germinate, which usually takes 7 to 14 days.

Watering and Feeding Chicory

Once established, chicory is surprisingly drought-tolerant. Still, aim to water it weekly when rain doesn’t suffice.

Overly rich soil can lead to leggy, spindly growth. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced organic feed if needed, but don’t overdo it.

Harvesting Your Chicory

For leaf varieties, pick outer leaves as needed or harvest the whole plant when it’s about 12 inches tall. Younger leaves are less bitter.

Root harvests are best done in late autumn. Gently loosen the soil with a fork to avoid breaking the roots.

Tackling Bitter Flavors

Chicory leaves can sometimes taste quite bitter. Blanching, or covering the plants for a few weeks before harvest, reduces bitterness.

Alternatively, pair the leaves in salads with sweet ingredients like apples or honey dressing to balance the flavors.

Pest and Disease Management

Chicory is fairly pest-resistant, but aphids and slugs may appear. Hand-pick slugs or use organic slug traps.

To deter aphids, try a spray of diluted dish soap. It works wonders without harming beneficial insects.

Why Chicory Deserves a Spot in Your Garden

This hardy plant offers more than just good looks. Its deep taproot aerates soil, improving its structure, while its blooms attract bees and butterflies.

Plus, chicory’s dual-purpose nature means you’ll enjoy both edible leaves and roots. Few plants give back as much as this one.

Clever Companion Planting with Chicory

Chicory pairs beautifully with carrots, onions, and lettuce. Its deep roots don’t compete with shallower-rooted veggies.

Avoid growing it near fennel, though—the two don’t play well together. Trust me, I’ve tried, and it led to stunted growth for both.

Overwintering Chicory

In colder climates, chicory can survive winter with a bit of help. Mulch the base of the plant with straw or leaves to insulate its roots.

For container-grown chicory, simply bring the pots indoors or move them to a frost-free area.

Chicory thrives on minimal fuss, offering a bounty of flavor, beauty, and resilience. Every garden should have a patch of this hardworking plant.

Growing chicory can be a great way to get more zinc, vitamin C, and iron in your diet. Plus, it's easy to cultivate, adding color and texture to any garden or landscaping. Not only can chicory benefit your health, but it can also be a beautiful addition to any outdoor area, converting any dull space into a vibrant paradise. Growing chicory can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, no matter how experienced or inexperienced the gardener. So why not give it a go?