When to Plant Chicory in USDA Zone 8b
Your May planting checklist for Zone 8b
Your garden in Zone 8b is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Pick chicory
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Looking ahead to June
- First harvests: chicory
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.
In Zone 8b, the average last spring frost is around February 25 and the first fall frost is around November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.
Chicory Planting Timeline — Zone 8b
Where Is USDA Zone 8b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8b. Click any state to see the Chicory planting schedule for that location.
Chicory Planting Calendar — Zone 8b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 21 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Direct Sow | February 11 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 |
| Harvest | April 29 | Apr 29 – Jun 10 |
| Fall Sowing | September 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–85 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
276 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Chicory in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Chicory in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~276 days). Start Chicory indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
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Saving Chicory Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Chicory in Other Zones
Chicory by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chicory in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, plan your Chicory planting around the average last frost date of February 25. Start seeds indoors around January 21. Direct sow outdoors around February 11. Transplant seedlings around February 25.
Can Chicory grow in Zone 8b?
Yes, Chicory can grow well in Zone 8b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Zone 8b has a growing season of approximately 276 days, which is sufficient for Chicory (60-85 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Chicory in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, expect to harvest Chicory from April 29 – June 10. Chicory takes 60-85 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8b is around February 25, and the first fall frost is around November 28. This gives a growing season of approximately 276 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Chicory?
Good companion plants for Chicory include Carrots, Lettuce, Onion. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.