When to plant Chicory in Arid Australia

Arid zone — applies to Alice Springs, Mildura, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, Port Augusta and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Subtropical · Tropical.

Sow chicory direct from April to September, setting seed about 5 mm deep in its final position to protect the taproot. Germination is quick at 7–14 days, and the crop matures in 85–100 days. Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm apart in rows 30–40 cm apart. This hardy leafy herb is best grown through the cooler months in arid zones such as Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie; the mild autumn-to-spring window keeps the leaves crisp and tempers the natural bitterness that hot, dry stress would otherwise intensify.

Sowing calendar — arid zone

Green months are your sowing window: April to September.

Growing notes

Chicory is a robust, hardy plant grown for its slightly bitter leaves and, in some types, its roots for forcing or roasting. It suits arid gardens because it is deep-rooted and drought-tolerant once established, though flavour and texture are far better when it grows steadily in cool conditions.

The main failure mode here is excessive bitterness and premature bolting brought on by heat and water stress. Grown through the warm months in Broken Hill or Mildura, plants toughen, turn intensely bitter and run to seed before you get a decent harvest. Beat this by keeping to the autumn-to-spring window, watering deeply and regularly, and mulching to hold soil moisture and moderate temperature.

For milder leaves, many gardeners blanch heading and leaf types by covering plants to exclude light for a week or two before harvest, which sweetens them noticeably. Sow direct and thin rather than transplant, since the taproot resents disturbance. Harvest outer leaves as needed for a cut-and-come-again supply, or lift whole heads once formed. If you are growing chicory for coffee-style roots, leave plants a full season, then dig, roast and grind the taproots.

Chicory at a glance

Common questions

why is my chicory so bitter

Bitterness intensifies with heat and water stress. Grow chicory through the cooler months, water deeply and regularly, and blanch the plants by excluding light for a week or two before harvest to sweeten the leaves.

when to plant chicory in arid australia

Sow direct from April to September so the crop grows through the milder autumn-to-spring window. Cool-season growth keeps the leaves crisp and the flavour balanced rather than harshly bitter.

should chicory be transplanted or direct sown

Sow chicory direct where it is to grow, because the taproot resents disturbance. Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm apart rather than moving them; it germinates in 7–14 days.

how do you harvest chicory leaves

Pick outer leaves as needed for a cut-and-come-again supply, or lift whole heads once they form. For milder flavour, blanch plants under a cover before cutting.

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