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When to Plant Chicory in Trigg 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.

Trigg County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 1,825 feet, Trigg County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Trigg County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Trigg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 1

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 23 gal / 100 sq ft
Chicory needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 3,328 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Trigg County, KY

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 4
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 19

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

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 6b

Growing Season

208 days

Growing Tips for Trigg 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 Trigg County, KY?

Trigg County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trigg County, KY?

Trigg County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Trigg County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Trigg County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.