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How to Grow Chicory
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Chicory
Chicory is a multi-use plant which is not commonly grown by the amateur gardener. However, it
is
reasonably easy to grow and provides a crop of leaves from early summer to mid-autumn. If the roots
are lifted and stored in the dark then chicons are produced which will provide a delicacy in the
winter months.
The final use is as a coffee substitute. The roots are baked then ground and are
used as a 40:60 mixture with coffee. In parts of the world, chicory is used exclusively to produce
an intriguing hot beverage. |
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CHICORY QUICK GUIDE
Chicory Folklore
Click here.
Latin Name
Cichorium intybus
Type
Perennial cultivated as an annual
Site and Soil
A light soil which retains water. Full sun but
they tolerate part shade well.
Plant to Harvest Time
8 weeks for leaves;
32 weeks for chicons;
How Many?
120 grams / 4 oz per plant
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Types of Chicory
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Chicory can be grown for its leaves which are used in salads. Some varieties,
Witloof chicory in particular, are grown principally for their chicons. These are
small tightly packed and blanched leaves which are normally forced indoors during
winter.
The final use for chicory is to grind up the roots and use the resulting powder as a
coffee substitute. In some parts of the world, ground chicory roots are used on
their own as a rather bitter beverage. |
This article describes how to grow chicory and also includes radicchio which is similar
and treated the same.
Site and Soil
Chicory prefers a light well dug soil which is reasonably fertile. 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.
Sowing and Planting Chicory
CHICORY FOR LEAVES
If sowing seed directly into the soil outside the best time is late spring onwards. Sow seed
outside in to a depth of about 1˝cm (˝in) deep and cover with fine soil. Water in well if
the soil is dry. If sowing more than one row, space the rows 35cm (14in) apart. When the
seedlings are about 2cm (žin) high, thin them to 25cm (10in) apart.
If sowing seed under cover, start sowing in mid spring. Sow a couple of seed per pot and
thin out to the strongest. When the seedlings are 5cm (2in) high transplant them to their
final position in the garden. Avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible. If the seeds
are sown in degradable pots the pot can be planted directly into the soil. Space them as
described in the previous paragraph. Water in well.
CHICORY FOR CHICONS
It's best to sow chicory seed for chicons in pots indoors as described above. Sow the seed
in late spring. Plant out as described above.
Care for Chicory
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Chicory is extremely good news on the care front. It requires no care whatsoever
once the seedlings have established. In the early stages, water if conditions become
dry. Thereafter the plants will look after themselves. Their long tap roots will
search out water in all but the driest of conditions. Chicory, wait for this, will
smother all but the most troublesome weeds. That's the best recommendation you can
ever get for a vegetable! Sometimes chicory does throw up a few flowers. As soon
as you notice them cut the flowering stems back to soil level.
If you want to blanch the leaves (make them whiter rather than greener) then
simply tie a piece of string round the leaves, drawing them together slightly. This
will prevent light form reaching many of the inner leaves thus blanching them. This
works best with radicchio and sugarloaf types of chicory. The best time to blanch is
about ten days before you to harvest the leaves. Much longer and the plants will
begin to suffer. As a further guide, begin blanching the plants about 12 weeks after
the seeds are sown. |
NEXT PAGE ON HARVESTING
CHICORY
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