Chicory

 

I would love some Chicory in a few areas around my house but I just
can't seem to get it to grow?  It grows like weeds along the side of
just about any road yet I just can't get it to grow here.

I have collected seeds from many others and did everything from
sprinkling them at the same time they would normally be dropping, tried
in early fall, early winter, early spring, and all those times have
tried everything from sprinkling them around, to slightly sowing them
in, and also lightly watering them.  I'm certain that I have probably
spread 1000 seeds over the years.  I never tried digging them up and
transplanting because I've heard that is very difficult.  I even had
some semi rare in nature, white ones but of course they didn't grow either.

Why the %@&*#%$T can't I grow what most people call weeds?  Maybe I
should drive over them and spray salt on them in the winter like along
side the roads?

I have not tried buying seeds just because they always seem so plentiful
along the road.  Would I have better luck with mail order seeds?  I'm
not great at starting seeds indoors but if that's the only way I'll try.

I'm in East TN northern tip of English Mountain.  Zone 5 or 6 or 7
depending on what map and method used.  But I also had the same problem
trying to grow it up in PA zone 5 or 6.

My first goal is to get any kind to grow because I like it's looks, then
I may like to get different varieties with leaves that are good in salad
or roots to make chicory coffee from.

 



 This PDF suggest Mediterranean  clime.

http://ressources.ciheam.org/om/pdf/c62/04600146.pdf

Here is a place to start.

http://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/search-results.php

--
Bill  S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden
     What use one more wake up call?  
http://ocg6.marine.usf.edu/~liu/Drifters/latest_roms.htm

 

Tony wrote:


  um, wow!  :)

  we grow a patch of them here
for the flowers, this year the bunnies
have been eating it.  it is invasive!
i have yet to try harvesting and roasting.

  we dug a few roots from along the
road.  don't worry about what people
say, if you dig it up and get enough
of the root it'll take.  probably would
help to start with a smaller plant (i.e. one
that hasn't been mown too many times :) )
so you are getting more of the root.

  water it in good after you transplant
it and make sure it gets watered
every day or every other day until it
looks like it's trying to put out some
new growth.

  are you putting it in sandy soil
where it gets plenty of light?  roads
are set up for good drainage...


  songbird

 

On 6/18/2010 2:57 PM, Tony wrote:

Piqued my interest as I'm trying to fill in a denuded area with
perennials but I see chicory is recommended for deer feeding plots.
That's my problem.  Ivy, hostas, even horseradish, won't grow in my yard.