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When to Plant Chicory in Perquimans County, NC

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.

Perquimans County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 574 feet, Perquimans County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chicory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Perquimans County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Perquimans County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 584 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chicory needs ~1,486 GDD — county provides 4,797 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Perquimans County, NC

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for Perquimans 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 Perquimans County, NC?

Perquimans County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perquimans County, NC?

Perquimans County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perquimans County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Perquimans County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.