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When to Plant Chicory in Lincoln County, WV

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.

Lincoln County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 3,174 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Lincoln County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chicory needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,395 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, WV

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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

194 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WV?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, WV?

Lincoln County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.