A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Timing for Chicory

SummaryPlanting time for chicory: spring is March-April, autumn is September-October. Planting method: chicory is suitable for planting in loose-textured, organic-rich, slightly acidic clay soil. Base fertilizer can be farmyard manure. Broadcast sowing is used, with a seeding rate of about 2 kg per mu. When the seedlings reach a certain height, thin and fill in the seedlings in time, and weed promptly. During the seedling stage, water so the soil dries and wets alternately. During the vigorous growth period, keep the soil moist. In the late growth stage, control moisture.

1. Planting time for chicory

Chicory is suitable for planting in spring from March to April, or in autumn from September to October. When planting, choose excellent varieties with high yield and disease resistance, and sow in time, which helps extend the vegetative growth period and also extends the harvest period. Generally, direct seeding can be used for open-field planting.

2. Planting methods for chicory

1. Site selection and land preparation

Chicory is relatively cold-tolerant but not drought-tolerant. It is suitable for planting on hillsides, in fields, under forests, or near water sources at an altitude of 170-3200 m. You can choose slightly acidic clay soil or sandy loam with loose texture, rich organic matter, and good water and fertilizer retention. The suitable soil pH is about 4.5-8.9. After selecting the site, plow and level the soil, apply 1000-2000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure per mu as base fertilizer, and then make beds.

2. Sowing

You can choose to plant in spring or autumn, and you need to select varieties with stable yield and strong disease resistance. Chicory seeds are relatively small, so broadcast sowing can generally be used. Make shallow furrows on the bed surface, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, then cover with a small amount of fine soil, with the depth controlled at about 0.5-1 cm to avoid affecting emergence. After watering the soil thoroughly, gently press it down. The seeding rate is about 2 kg per mu. During this period, control the sowing density well, which helps improve quality and yield.

3. Field management

Seedlings emerge in about 4-5 days after sowing. After the seedlings break through the soil, check the field in time. During this period, water appropriately to keep the soil moist and avoid the soil being too dry, which would affect seedling growth. The root system of seedlings is relatively weak, so loosen the soil in time to promote root growth. Do not damage the roots when loosening the soil. When the seedlings grow to a certain height, thin and fill in the seedlings in time. If diseased or weak seedlings are found, pull them out. At the same time, also pull out weeds in the field to avoid too many weeds competing with the seedlings for nutrients.

4. Fertilizer and water management

During this period, water and fertilize reasonably according to the growth of the plants to ensure robust growth. During the seedling stage, just keep the soil alternating between dry and wet. Do not water too much during this period, to avoid excessive seedling growth, and it should not be too dry either, as that would cause the seedlings to age. In the season when the plants grow vigorously, keep the soil moist. If the water supply is insufficient, the bitterness of chicory will be stronger and the taste slightly worse. In the late growth stage, control moisture, which helps improve quality and yield.