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When to Plant Chicory in Stephens County, OK

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.

Stephens County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 979 feet, Stephens County receives approximately 26.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Stephens County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Stephens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,061 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chicory needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Stephens County, OK

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
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 20

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 7b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Stephens 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 Stephens County, OK?

Stephens County is in Zone 7b 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 Stephens County, OK?

Stephens County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stephens County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Stephens County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.