How to grow Chicory in Australia
Sow chicory in full sun in free-draining soil of moderate fertility. Water steadily for tender leaves, as dry plants turn very bitter.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Time to harvest: 90 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | February to June | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | February to June | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | February to July | Extended cool season. Witlof forcing works well in Sydney winters. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | February to August | Extended window. Witlof forcing excellent in Melbourne's cold winters. |
| Adelaide & SA | February to July | Mediterranean heritage suits Adelaide. Extended cool season. |
| Perth & WA | March to July | Mediterranean heritage suits Perth. Cool season crop. |
| Tasmania | November to February | Sow Nov to Feb. Witlof forcing works brilliantly through cold Tasmanian winters. |
| Canberra & ACT | December to March | Sow Dec to Mar. Witlof forcing works well in Canberra winters. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season only. Short window. |
| Darwin & Top End | June and July | Dry season only. Very short window. |
Varieties
- Witlof (Belgian Endive)
- Catalogna (Puntarelle)
- Coffee Chicory
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Cut outer leaves young for milder flavour or harvest the whole head when full and firm. Cutting the head above the crown can prompt a second flush of leaves.
Storage
Fridge wrapped for up to 1 week. Roots dry and store for months.