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When to plant Chicory in Kingman County, KS

In Zone 7a (Kingman County), direct-sow Chicory between March 31 and April 21 for spring, after the April 14 last-frost mark. A second sowing from August 15 to August 29 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chicory in Kingman County, KS

Kingman County, Kansas Zone 7a August

What to do in August

Welcome to August in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Get chicory in for a late-season harvest

    Fall crops get sweeter with a light frost. Don't be afraid of cool nights.

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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.

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 746 feet, Kingman County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Kingman County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Kingman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Chicory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9

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 Kingman County

How your county's soil matches Chicory's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Chicory prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kingman County is excellent for Chicory — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Chicory will thrive.

How to Plant Chicory

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chicory

3
successive plantings in your 193-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Chicory Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,115 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Kingman County). 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 needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline — Kingman County, KS

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 – Jul 28
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Kingman County

Growing Tips for Chicory in Kingman County

Direct sow Chicory outdoors after April 14 in Kingman County 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.

Kingman County receives only 21" of rain annually. Chicory needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chicory in Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Chicory in Kingman County, KS?

In Kingman County, KS, plant Chicory after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kingman County, KS for Chicory?

Kingman County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Chicory grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chicory grow in Kingman County's climate?

Yes — Chicory grows well in Kingman County's temperate climate. Kingman County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Kingman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kingman County (Zone 7a). 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 Kingman County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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