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Chicory is not like other vegetables in the garden. After harvesting, the shoot still has to sprout from the root before it can be eaten. This article explains what needs to be considered when growing chicory.
In a nutshell
- Chicory belongs to the daisy family and is related to chicory
- the vegetable is biennial
- Growing chicory in the garden is easy, during the growth phase it requires little maintenance
- the subsequent driving ensures the thick, white rungs
location in the garden
Since chicory is a biennial, it needs a space that it can claim for that long. This should be as sunny as possible. Cold and frost can't harm the vegetables, but some wind protection can't hurt.
floor
The vegetables are quite undemanding, since they are weak consumers. It forms a taproot, with which it can still supply itself with water even when it is dry. A permeable soil is therefore an advantage.
mixed culture
All types of vegetables involved benefit from a mixed culture. For chicory these are:
- tomatoes
- salad
- beans
- fennel
- carrots
Fennel is a good plant neighbor for chicory.
In the case of annual vegetables, various partners can also be associated with the chicory throughout the cultivation period.
Notice: Other daisies or potatoes are less suitable. The latter not least because it is unfavorable for the biennial vegetable when the potatoes are dug up in the autumn.
crop rotation
Chicory is not compatible with other daisy family and should only be planted in the same bed after 4 years if possible. This prevents diseases and pests. However, no other composite plants should be on the bed during this time.
Growing chicory outdoors
The vegetables like it warm. Therefore, the best time to sow it outdoors is in May, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Prioritization is not necessary.
- When planting a new vegetable patch, dig up in the fall
- only loosen the existing bed deeply
- then pull smooth, remove stones and weeds
- make seed furrows about 1 cm deep
- Row spacing up to 30 cm
- Scatter the seeds thinly, press down a little
- cover with soil and press down again
- Water carefully and keep moist
- Germination time 3 to 4 weeks
- then thin out plants to a distance of 10 cm
chicory in the first year outdoors; Source: Rasbak, Groenlof (Cichorium intybus var foliosum)(1), edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
pour
To ensure strong taproots develop, do not water too frequently. Instead, it is better to give it less water and more water, which can seep deep into the ground. Mulching between plants, removing weeds and occasional hoeing will reduce water evaporation.
Fertilize
On nutrient-rich beds, chicory does not need to be fertilized. With very lean areas, it is worth spreading some compost in the spring of the second year.
harvest
Chicory is not harvested in the first year, it has to grow first. The roots are harvested after two years, when the outer leaves of the vegetable plant turn yellow in the fall. Carefully get the roots out of the ground with the digging fork. Remove clinging soil but do not wash away. Sort out damaged roots.
Drive chicory
- the right temperature and darkness are important so that the sprouts remain nice and white
- the vegetables need cold at the beginning, about 3 degrees Celsius
- pound the roots into wet sand
- put in a dark place or cover
- after about a week increase the temperature to 10 to 18 degrees
- Now put the roots upright, close together, in a box with damp sand
- harvest when they are about 15 cm long
- Break off or cut off sprouts to do this
- Root remains can go on the compost
Impelled chicory in the second year; Source: No machine-readable author provided. Rasbak assumed (based on copyright claims)., Witlof en wortel, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Notice: A cold greenhouse is also suitable for forcing, provided the chicory is well covered.
Diseases & Pests
Chicory is relatively robust. If the leaves change color inside the shoot, this indicates a nutrient deficiency. Then work some rock dust into the soil. Cutworms can eat the roots, but rotating crops helps. Powdery mildew can occur in humid weather, but only affects the outer leaves.
frequently asked Questions
Are there chicory varieties that are not so bitter?Newer breeds actually do not contain as many bitter substances as old varieties. If you still prefer well-tried varieties when growing chicory, you should be aware that they may have special requirements for forcing.
How long does chicory keep?As long as it stands in the moist sand, the chicory will keep for a while and can be harvested for weeks. Cut sprouts stay fresh in the fridge for a few days.
Do the plants have to be cut in the first year?A cut back is not necessary. The plants don't get too big. A leaf rosette forms, similar to the dandelion.