In cultivation, chicory is not a follower. Contrary to the rule, it must first be sown in the garden before it can later be grown at home. Elaborate? In a way yes, but also easy, exciting and effective!

Sowing in open ground

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 each plant: 10 cm
  • Sowing depth: 2 to 3 cm

A handful of location claims

Chicory is extremely frugal and easy to care for. He has few claims to his location:

  • full sun to half shade
  • Substrate: deep, well-drained, rich in nutrients and humus, fresh to moderately moist
  • tolerates neither wet nor prolonged drought

The exact procedure - step by step

After the chicory has been sown in loosened soil and pricked out, it only needs regular watering. In mid-September, the beets/roots of the chicory are dug up. They should be between 3 and 5 cm in diameter. They are left on the ground in the bed for a day or two. During this time, the roots are still pulling nutrients from the leaves.

The second stage begins

The roots are then freed from the leaves and transported to a suitable place, for example in the house or in the basement. There they should sprout again. Buckets, boxes and bowls are suitable as vessels for moving the plant on. Such a vessel is filled with earth or sand. The roots are put in there and watered well.

The vessel should either be covered or left in a completely dark place (12 to 18 °C) for the next time. 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 cobs can be cut off. The roots will then sprout again! This means you can harvest chicory again and again throughout the winter.

tips and tricks

Even if the chicory is quickly forgotten when it lies hidden in the dark: don't forget to water it regularly!

Category:

Vegetable garden