In cultivation, chicory is not a follower. Contrary to the rule, it must first be sown in the garden before it can be grown later at home. Complex? In a certain sense yes, but also problem-free, exciting and effective!
How to grow chicory successfully?
To grow chicory, sow it outdoors between mid-May and early July, keep the soil deep, permeable and nutrient-rich, and space the plants 10 cm apart. Prick out the young plants about four weeks after sowing, provide them with regular water and harvest the roots from mid-September. Allow the roots to sprout again in the dark and harvest the chicory cobs after about three to four weeks.
Sowing outdoors
Chicory is sown directly outdoors between mid-May and early July. The young plants are pricked out about four weeks after sowing.
- Row spacing: 30 cm
- Distance between individual plants: 10 cm
- Sowing depth: 2 to 3 cm
A handful of location demands
Chicory is extremely frugal and easy to care for. He has few demands on his location:
- full sun to partially shaded location
- Substrate: deep, permeable, rich in nutrients and humus, fresh to moderately moist
- cannot tolerate wetness or prolonged dryness
The exact procedure – step by step
After the chicory has been sown and pricked out in loosened soil, it only needs a regular supply of water. The beets/roots of the chicory are dug up in mid-September. They should be between 3 and 5 cm in diameter. They are left on the ground in the bed for one or two days. During this time, the roots still draw nutrients from the leaves.
The second stage begins
The roots are then removed from the leaves and transported to a suitable location, for example in the house or in the basement. They should sprout again there. Buckets, boxes and bowls are suitable as containers for growing the plant. Such a vessel is filled with earth or sand. The roots are inserted there and watered well.
The vessel should either be covered or left in a completely dark place (12 to 18 °C) for the next while. If light reached the plants, they would develop a lot of bitter substances and be less tasty.
The harvest can begin
After three to four weeks - usually at the beginning of the chicory season - the chicory bulbs can be cut off. The roots then sprout again! This means you can harvest chicory again and again throughout the winter.
Tips & Tricks
Even if the chicory is quickly forgotten when it is hidden in the dark: don't forget to supply it with water regularly!
