Growing Chicory, also Witloof, Belgian endive

Cichorium intybus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Chicory in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 10 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 16-24 weeks. Will need forcing before final harvest.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, onions, Florence fennel, tomatoes.

Your comments and tips

01 Feb 17, anna (New Zealand - temperate climate)
well hot peppery does not quite describe the flavour in my eyes. it´s bitter and tangy, needs some getting used to for raw consumption. one of my favourite recipies is risotto with radiicchio or simply slicing it thinnly, add oil, a splash of balsamic/lemon or wine and top with grated blue vain cheese,put under grill for 10 or until tender- eat with toasted white bread ;-)
16 Jan 17, Wilbur van Wyk (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I live in Pretoria and want to know where i can purchase witloof seeds I will appreciate any information Regards Wilbur
24 Aug 16, Peter Reynders (Australia - temperate climate)
Witlof: The Gardenate webpage shows (seed? or seedling -) planting in the diagram to be in June and July . (For Sub-Tropical Australia only - Check other areas: Liz) The above Verbruggen story from Belgium ( quite good) indicates sowing in May. That equates with Australia to about October/November. Q: Can that be changed? Seeds collecting from ones own plants is also indicated there. The root tips cut of for forcing can also be planted in the garden as they also sprout if just at the surface. They may bloom and seed as well. Seed is usually not available in shopping centre seeds racks. But in seed racks of larger nurseries they often are. PR
27 Aug 16, Geoff (Australia - temperate climate)
Chicory, including the red variety called radicchio in Australia, is a very diverse group of plants from small and mid-sized pale and dark green varieties grown for their leaves and stems, variegated red and green heading varieties to red heading varieties with white ribs such as the classic Treviso, palla rossa, rossa di Verona etc. There are also varieties, including witloof or Belgian endive (actually a chicory) that near maturity leaves are cut off at ground level and the roots either lifted and replanted in a dark area such as a cellar or covered by a light-excluding bucket or the like. the shoots are white or pale coloured because they are grown in the dark. Grumolo varieties of chicory are treated similarly, except they are grown with full light exposure after cutting and develop the most attractive rosettes of either red or green leaves. Small cutting chicories such as zuccherina di Trieste can be grown all but mid summer in temperate zones, while the larger varieties, particularly the heading varieties need to mature in cool or cold weather so need to be planted in mid to late summer. Think of them as savoy cabbages or Brussel sprouts.
18 Jun 16, james kwon (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Is available at my area? what is this vegi good for?
21 Mar 23, GodsChild17 (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Chicory is used as a coffee substitute, you use the roots of the plant. People used it this way during the Great Depression. Yes you absolutely can grow any plant you want to grow just make sure to plant things for your zone at the right time of the year… every page at the top has a click down menu so you can pick your growing zone and choose whatever plant you’re wanting to grow. Also you can always go to Google and type in zone 9A planting guide and then at the top click images and there is a ton of printable guides…. Also the back of every seed packet tells you also.
30 May 16, (Australia - temperate climate)
where can I buy witloof around Perth?
19 Mar 16, John de Kleuver (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Chicory - Witloof. I live in northern NSW and my planting guide says plant chicory seed in March. Plants have all germinated and I will transplant to 20cm apart. Just want to know how high they may grow? And at what time should I pull up roots and "force" them? Thankyou John
22 Aug 17, Mario Skapin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi John I planted my seeds on the 4th of april and they are now 400-600 mm high will do the next stage this week, this is my first time so i hope it works out cheers Mario
14 Mar 16, Leonarda vlaanderen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
we love witloof We came from Holland been in Australia for 50 Years would love to grow it Or try Where can I get the seeds?
Showing 31 - 40 of 65 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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