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When to Plant Chicory in Crow Wing County, MN

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.

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 783 feet, Crow Wing County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chicory to ensure they mature before fall.

Crow Wing County, MN (Zone 3b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Crow Wing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 103 gal / 100 sq ft
Chicory needs ~616 GDD — county provides 1,283 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Crow Wing County, MN

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 3b

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crow Wing County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Crow Wing County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.