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When to Plant Chicory in Bayfield County, WI

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.

Bayfield County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 619 feet, Bayfield County receives approximately 36.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chicory to ensure they mature before fall.

Bayfield County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Bayfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 14

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
Drought risk

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

Chicory needs ~725 GDD — county provides 1,420 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Bayfield County, WI

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

142 days

Growing Tips for Bayfield 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 Bayfield County, WI?

Bayfield County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bayfield County, WI?

Bayfield County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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