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When to Plant Chicory in Edmonton, AB

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.

Edmonton, Alberta is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 2,191 feet, Edmonton receives approximately 17.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly dark brown chernozem soil. Summer highs average 70°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chicory to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chicory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Edmonton, AB (Zone 4b) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Edmonton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Dark Brown Chernozem

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chicory Planting Timeline — Edmonton, AB

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Aug 26
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

147 days in Edmonton

Growing Tips for Edmonton

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chicory in Edmonton, AB?

Edmonton is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edmonton, AB?

Edmonton, Alberta is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Edmonton Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Edmonton (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Edmonton, AB. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.