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Growing Chicory, also Witloof, Belgian endive

(Cichorium intybus)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
                  P P  

(Best months for planting Chicory in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)


  • Harvest in 4-6 months
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C.
  • Space plants: 25-30cm

Harvest - to prepare to store for forcing at around 4-5 months . The second stage, blanching will take 8 - 12 weeks. To Blanch:- Lift the plants and cut off the leaves about 5cm (2in) above the roots. Shorten the roots to about 20-25cm (8-10in) and replant close together (3-5cm apart)in a pot filled with loose soil. Keep damp but not soggy. Cover to exclude light and keep out of the sunlight, but not below 10 C (50 F)

Exclude light until you use the witloof, if it goes green it will be bitter.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chicory

Good in salads
Grill lightly with butter
Bake with ham and cheese

Your comments and tips

30 Oct 10 Vivienne Smits (New Zealand - temperate climate)
A sublime vegetable- we are attmpting to grow for the first time. Fingers crossed. Thank you for the growing tips.
19 Dec 10 Sarah (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
My witloof is trying to flower... does that mean that now is the time to lift and move them for blanching?

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See planting calendar for these climate zones

New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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