Blog

When to plant Chicory in Trigg County, KY

Plant Chicory in Trigg County from March 22 to April 12 in spring. Trigg County sits in USDA Zone 7a, with last frost around April 5 and first frost on October 30. A second sowing from August 21 to September 4 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chicory in Trigg County, KY

Trigg County, Kentucky Zone 7a June

June to-do list for Trigg County, Kentucky

Here's what deserves your attention in Trigg County, Kentucky this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost October 30
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Harvest chicory as they ripen

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: chicory

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Trigg County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 1,825 feet, Trigg County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.

Trigg County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Trigg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Chicory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 1

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 Trigg County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Chicory's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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 208-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 21.

Chicory Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 23 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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Trigg 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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 3,328 GDD Excellent fit

Chicory Planting Timeline — Trigg County, KY

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 12
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 – Jul 19
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 – Sep 4

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 Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

208 days in Trigg County

Growing Tips for Chicory in Trigg County

Direct sow Chicory outdoors after April 05 in Trigg 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 Trigg County, KY?

Trigg County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trigg County, KY?

Trigg County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 30.

When should I plant Chicory in Trigg County, KY?

In Trigg County, KY, plant Chicory after the last frost (around April 5) and before the first frost (around October 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Trigg County, KY for Chicory?

Trigg 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 Trigg County's climate?

Yes — Chicory grows well in Trigg County's temperate climate. Trigg County averages a 208-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 5 and first frost around October 30.

🌱

Your Trigg County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Trigg 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Trigg 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.