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When to Plant Chicory in Power County, ID

Chicory is a hardy perennial grown for its bitter leaves and roots. The roots can be roasted as a coffee substitute, and the leaves add complexity to salads.

Power County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 6,609 feet, Power County receives approximately 14 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chicory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Power County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
142 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Power County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 7 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 24

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 889 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chicory needs ~1,106 GDD — county provides 2,165 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Power County, ID

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 5
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 24

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Power County

Sow seeds directly in spring. Thin plants to 8-12 inches apart. For forcing, dig roots in fall and replant in a dark, cool area to produce blanched chicons.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chicory in Power County, ID?

Power County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Power County, ID?

Power County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Power County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Power County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.