When to Plant Chicory in Harmon County, OK
What to do in May
Your Harmon County, Oklahoma garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
-
Time to start chicory inside
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: 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.
Harmon County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.
At an elevation of 993 feet, Harmon County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.
Harmon County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
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 Harmon County
How your county's soil matches Chicory's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.5) overlaps with Chicory's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Harmon County is excellent for Chicory — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Chicory will thrive.
How to Plant Chicory
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chicory
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 27.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Harmon 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 Planting Timeline — Harmon County, OK
Chicory Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 24 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Direct Sow | March 17 | Mar 17 – Apr 7 |
| Harvest | June 2 | Jun 2 – Jul 14 |
| Fall Sowing | August 27 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
219 days in Harmon County
Growing Tips for Chicory in Harmon County
Direct sow Chicory outdoors after March 31 in Harmon 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chicory in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chicory in Harmon County, OK?
Harmon County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Harmon County, OK?
Harmon County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 5.
Your Harmon County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Harmon County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.