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When to Plant Chicory in Greene County, IN

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.

Greene County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Greene County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Greene County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 14

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 224 gal / 100 sq ft
Chicory needs ~1,323 GDD — county provides 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, IN

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, IN?

Greene County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, IN?

Greene County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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