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When to plant Chicory in Lyon County County,

Lyon County County's spring Chicory window runs March 21 through April 11. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 23 to September 6 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chicory in Lyon County, KY

Lyon County, Kentucky Zone 7a June

June in Lyon County, Kentucky — your action list

Your Lyon County, Kentucky garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Basket week: chicory

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: chicory

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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.

Lyon County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 2,809 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 46.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Lyon County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1
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Lyon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Chicory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 31

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 Lyon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) is within Chicory's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Chicory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Chicory.

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

4
successive plantings in your 211-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Chicory Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Lyon 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 ~997 GDD — county provides 2,901 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline — Lyon County, KY

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Jul 18
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

211 days in Lyon County

Growing Tips for Chicory in Lyon County

Direct sow Chicory outdoors after April 04 in Lyon 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.

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 Lyon County, KY?

Lyon County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lyon County, KY?

Lyon County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 1.

When should I plant Chicory in Lyon County, ?

In Lyon County, , plant Chicory after the last frost (around April 4) and before the first frost (around November 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lyon County, for Chicory?

Lyon 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 Lyon County's climate?

Yes — Chicory grows well in Lyon County's temperate climate. Lyon County averages a 211-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 4 and first frost around November 1.

🌱

Your Lyon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lyon 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 Lyon County, KY. 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.