Planting and Growing Guide for Witloof (Cichorium intybus)
Description
Witloof (Chicory) is a herb and bitter salad/greens plant that has been used as food or as a medicine for thousands of years. Use chicory as you do with greens, spinach, cabbage or lettuce in salad, stir-fries and as a side serve. Chicory is easy plant and grow and can be planted out from seeds or seedlings when soil temperatures are above about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). Witloof is not frost tolerant. Witloof prefers deep, fertile, and well-drained acidic soils.
Planting Guide
Seed Depth: Sow seed directly in the soil at a depth about 10 mm (1/2 inch)
Space between plants: 25-35 cm (10 inches). Sow seeds at half this spacing and thin when established.
Harvest Time: First harvest in about 20 weeks. Pick smaller leaves continuously. Plant in batches
Hints:
- Keep well watered but not soggy weed
- Cover plants in Spring if late frosts expected
- The shoots can be used in salads and stir-fries
- Weed well in the early stages until plants are established
- Witloof grows best in full sun
- Seeds will take about 10-14 days to germinate.
- Stop the plants from drying out they may go to seed, so water well and often
Disclaimer: The PlantWhatWhen vegetable planting guide is only designed for use as a very general reference for home gardening purposes. It is not to be used for farming, markets or commercial activities of any kind whatsoever. We take absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy and adequacy of the information provided on this site. We recommend that you consider your local climate, weather patterns and conditions when deciding what and when to plant in your home garden. It's entirely your own decision. Happy Gardening and Best Wishes!