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When to Plant Chicory in Christian County, KY

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.

Christian County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 1,344 feet, Christian County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Christian County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Christian County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Chicory

Chicory needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chicory Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Christian County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Christian County, KY

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 20
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Christian County

Growing Tips for Christian 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chicory in Christian County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Christian County, KY?

Christian County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Christian County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.