Growing Chicory, also Witloof, Belgian endive

Cichorium intybus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Chicory in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 25 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 16-24 weeks. Will need forcing before final harvest.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, onions, Florence fennel, tomatoes.

Your comments and tips

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14 May 14, ROB MEEUSEN (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Ik ben Kok . Helemaal geen groene vingers. Graag wil ik Witloof kweken . De witloof wortel geeft mij het grote probleem . Wanneer zaaien . Kan dit in de winter in de West kaap . Het zaad heb ik reeds . Dank voor wat hulp . ROB MEEUSEN . 'm Cook. No green thumb. I would like chicory cultivation. The chicory root gives me the big problem. When sowing. Can this winter in the Western Cape. The seed I have already. Thanks for some help. ROB MEEUSEN.
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23 Jun 15, Samuel (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Rob Did you get your Witloof seeds here in South Africa, if yes where?
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22 Oct 14, Monique Terblanche (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hoi, Ik ben een Vlaming wonende in Pretoria en kan nergens witloof kopen. Hebt u al een kweker gevonden en indien wel , wilt u aub een adres geven waar ik het kan kopen. Groetjes Moniqiue (Hi, I am a Fleming living in Pretoria and nowhere to buy chicory. Have you already found a breeder and if so, would you please give an address where I can buy it. Greetings Moniqiue)
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26 Aug 13, Bill Van Dipten (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where can I buy Brussels Endive (aka Witloof) seeds for planting in my garden in Cape Town ...so far no success with my search
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11 Sep 12, piero carrarq (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where can I get witloof seeds in za - jhb - your help would be much appreciated.
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Showing 11 - 15 of 15 comments
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Hello, I bought Belgian Endive seeds whilst in Germany, and want to start growing them. I don't think they will be ready for June, as the whole process seems to take quite long, but when looking at the above instructions, I have no idea what is meant by Forcing and Blanching. Could yopu please write on how to grow Chicoree / Endive from seeds, and what to do about keeping out the sun to prevent bittering. Kind regards, Sylvia

- Sylvia Payze

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