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

11 Jun 21, CH Brouwer (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Where to purchase Witloof roots or seeds in New-Zealand ?
23 Aug 21, Megan (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We got ours online So far they look good. About three cm tall.
19 Jun 21, Laura (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Try on-line seed suppliers.
13 Jun 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try any of the online seed merchants, like Egmont Seeds
18 Jun 20, John Dykhuizen (Australia - arid climate)
My father grew whitlof every year and never lifted it to my knowledge. He kept covering it with soil
07 Apr 20, Jo (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I've bought some 'Cicoria variegated Di castelfranco' seeds and wonder whether it's at all possible to put them in my garden bed now? I'm in Melbourne, and new to growing chicory. Any advice is much appreciated! Jo
08 Apr 20, anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
If you go to the blue tab at the top of the page called CLIMATE ZONE you will see you are temperate climate. Then go to CHICORY. Look at the planting guide. About SEP TO DEC. Read the notes about how to grow it.
15 Apr 19, Yolanda Simons (New Zealand - temperate climate)
where can I please purchase witlof plants . Kind regards Yolanda
01 Jan 22, Deborah (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I bought a bundle of seedlings at PacnSave in Mt Albert in October or November. They were from Awapuni Nurseries in Palmerston North. They are now enormous, bitter and taking up space. I've just read I was supposed to dig them up, cut them back hard and plant them in the dark but that didn't happen. They'll probably become compost, sadly.
22 Feb 19, Belg (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Orderings in Chistchurch
Showing 11 - 20 of 65 comments

i planted about 40 seeds of witlof in the beginning of April and the leaves are between 400 and 600 mm high i understand that it should be around 5 months before forcing is done, i don't fully understand the term forcing or blanching what does it mean can someone please explain this to me and also what is the simplest way to do this final stage of witlof growth cycle. can it be done in the garden where they grow? my understanding is that the the complete witlof be taken from the ground and the leave cut off about 50mm from the root and the root to be cut to about 250mm and then replanted within 30mm of each other and covered to exclude daylight for about 12 weeks. does it need watering or fertilising while this last process takes place please help as i would almost cry if all this work to date is wasted Thank you Mario

- Mario Skapin

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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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