How to Grow Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Chicory is a hardy cool-season vegetable that grows in most soils with full sun or light shade. Sow direct from late spring and thin to 20 cm apart; it needs little feeding but benefits from consistent moisture. The key tip is blanching — covering the hearts for 10–14 days before harvest dramatically reduces bitterness and produces the mild, tender leaves chicory is prized for.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Apply a balanced fertiliser at sowing or planting. A mid-season liquid feed encourages strong heart formation but avoid over-feeding which promotes loose, bitter heads.
- Blanching the centre of mature plants for 10–14 days before harvest reduces bitterness significantly. Cover with a plate, pot, or dark fleece to exclude all light from the developing inner leaves.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 15–22°C
- Direct sow
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 20 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.5 cm |
| Mature height | 60 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Colonies of grey or green aphids cluster on young shoots and leaf undersides, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew.
- Remove by hand or spray with a strong jet of water.
- Insecticidal soap for heavy infestations.
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes rasped in leaves, especially on young transplants and during wet weather.
- Use copper tape barriers or beer traps.
- Apply organic slug pellets around the base of plants.
- Ferric phosphate pellets.
Pest Leaf Miners
Identification: Pale winding trails between leaf surfaces made by larvae of leaf-mining flies.
- Remove and destroy affected leaves.
- Cover plants with fine mesh netting to prevent egg-laying.
- No effective chemical control available to home gardeners.
Disease Downy Mildew Bremia lactucae
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with a white-grey downy coating beneath.
Treatment: Remove affected leaves promptly.
Prevention: Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
Disease Crown Rot Sclerotinia spp.
Symptoms: Base of the plant collapses; encouraged by wet, poorly drained soils.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants.
Prevention: Ensure good drainage, avoid overwatering, and rotate chicory with unrelated crops each year.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–22°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | long day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Chicory?
- Plant Chicory 20cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- Is Chicory frost hardy?
- Chicory is classified as Hardy.
