Chicory
| Growing calendar | |
|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | May-Jul |
| Harvest | Sep-Jan |
How to grow
Sow seed 1cm deep in pots or rows 15-30cm apart. Thin or transplant seedlings to 15-20cm apart. Choose fertile soil and a sunny site.
Water in dry weather. Dig up Witloof chicory in autumn to produce forced pale coloured shoots (cut off the leaves, plant roots in wide pots, put in a cool dark place).
Harvesting and use
Cut hearts of compact leaves when firm (red and sugar loaf hearting), cut forced shoots of Witloof chicory in winter. Can pick seedling leaves all year.
| Growing notes | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Germination time | 7-14 days |
| Average time to harvest | 20-30 weeks |
| Equipment needed | Wide pots (eg 20cm) |
| Average plant size | 15-20cm tall and wide |
| Family group to grow with | Asteraceae: lettuce, salsify |
| Key nutritional content | Vitamin C |
| Seed saving notes | Biennial, needs isolation |