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When to Plant Chicory in Price 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.

Price County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,325 feet, Price County receives approximately 41.5 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.

Price County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Price County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 12

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
1.3″/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 1,350 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Price County, WI

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 30

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

135 days

Growing Tips for Price 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 Price County, WI?

Price County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Price County, WI?

Price County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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