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

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22 Jan 13, Chris Czarnik (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant Witloof and, Chicory in Brisbane. Thank you
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15 Apr 13, marian seegers (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Please have you any idea where I can buy witloof here in New Zealand (south Island)?
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07 May 13, Graeme harte (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
G'day catharina ! I'm growing witloof for the first time this year high in the mountains west of mackay QLD with great results ! I got my seeds from Eden seeds ' hope this helps mate ' regard Graeme
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26 Aug 13, Bill Van Dipten (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where can I buy Brussels Endive (aka Witloof) seeds for planting in my garden in Cape Town ...so far no success with my search
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27 Aug 13, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
where can I buy witloof in gauteng
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14 May 14, ROB MEEUSEN (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Ik ben Kok . Helemaal geen groene vingers. Graag wil ik Witloof kweken . De witloof wortel geeft mij het grote probleem . Wanneer zaaien . Kan dit in de winter in de West kaap . Het zaad heb ik reeds . Dank voor wat hulp . ROB MEEUSEN . 'm Cook. No green thumb. I would like chicory cultivation. The chicory root gives me the big problem. When sowing. Can this winter in the Western Cape. The seed I have already. Thanks for some help. ROB MEEUSEN.
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22 Oct 14, Monique Terblanche (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hoi, Ik ben een Vlaming wonende in Pretoria en kan nergens witloof kopen. Hebt u al een kweker gevonden en indien wel , wilt u aub een adres geven waar ik het kan kopen. Groetjes Moniqiue (Hi, I am a Fleming living in Pretoria and nowhere to buy chicory. Have you already found a breeder and if so, would you please give an address where I can buy it. Greetings Moniqiue)
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23 Jun 15, Samuel (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Rob Did you get your Witloof seeds here in South Africa, if yes where?
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28 Jun 14, peter (Australia - arid climate)
where can I buy chicory seeds in perth
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01 Aug 14, Ernest Gouws (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi I would like to know where I can buy Witlof seeds. I live in Benoni. Ernest
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Showing 11 - 20 of 65 comments
See comments for all plants

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.

- Geoff

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