Blog

When to Plant Chicory in Piute County, UT

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.

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 7,866 feet, Piute County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chicory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Piute County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Piute County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

Drainage

Well Drained

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 โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Piute County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chicory Planting Timeline โ€” Piute County, UT

Chicory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Aug 27
Fall Sowing July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

140 days in Piute County

Growing Tips for Piute County

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 Piute County, UT?

Piute County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Piute County, UT?

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Piute County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Piute County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.