When to Plant Chicory in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska gardeners: here's your May plan
Welcome to May in Zone 3b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Move chicory into the garden
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Seed chicory outdoors
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: chicory
- Fall sowing: 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.
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 116 days.
At an elevation of 2,540 feet, Fairbanks North Star Borough receives approximately 29.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 69°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chicory to ensure they mature before fall.
Fairbanks North Star Borough Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Fairbanks North Star Borough
How your county's soil matches Chicory's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) overlaps with Chicory's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Fairbanks North Star Borough is excellent for Chicory — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chicory.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.7%) — Chicory will thrive.
How to Plant Chicory
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chicory
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 15 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 16.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Chicory
Chicory needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Chicory Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 1.2" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Fairbanks North Star Borough). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Chicory Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Chicory Planting Timeline — Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK
Chicory Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 15 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Direct Sow | May 8 | May 8 – May 29 |
| Harvest | July 17 | Jul 17 – Aug 28 |
| Fall Sowing | June 16 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 3b
📆 Growing Season
116 days in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Growing Tips for Chicory in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Direct sow Chicory outdoors after May 15 in Fairbanks North Star Borough when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Chicory in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chicory in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chicory in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK?
Fairbanks North Star Borough is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK?
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 8.
Your Fairbanks North Star Borough Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Fairbanks North Star Borough (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.