Growing chicory is child's play. The vegetable is also not demanding when it comes to caring for it. However, there are a few things to consider when harvesting in order to actually be able to enjoy tasty chicory.
Chicory, also known as chicory, is a popular and he althy winter vegetable. The whitish-yellow buds of the chicory roots taste great raw in a salad, fried or steamed.
Of course, the vegetables are best from our own rearing. This requires a little effort, but what is most surprising is the fact that you harvest chicory in two phases. We explain exactly how to do this here.
Successfully harvest chicory - How it's done
Step 1: Dig up the chicory roots
Chicory does not require much work until it is harvested in late autumn. They sow by May at the latest, water and weed occasionally. During the summer the plants develop thick roots. From October, dig up all the plants and leave them on the bed for a few days. This is important so that the nutrients from the leaves can be drawn back into the roots. Digging should happen before prolonged ground frost sets in. However, short-term frost does no harm. Then remove the foliage from the roots.
» Caution: Either twist off the leaves or cut them off with a knife so that two to three centimeters remain. The growing point of the root must not be violated. Also cut off the lower part and the side shoots.
Step 2: Prepare the drift box
To propel the roots, they need a large container with opaque walls. Wooden boxes, mason's tubs or plastic tubs are well suited. Make sure there is good drainage to prevent waterlogging. So drilling holes in the ground - a job that really pays off. A mixture of sand and sifted garden soil comes in as a substrate, about 25 centimeters high. You can use the soil from the chicory bed.
The container for the so-called "bleaching" must be in a place with a constant temperature, ideally 10 to 16 degrees. Favorable is a basement, a garage or aunheated greenhouse. If you don't want to use all of the roots at once, wrap some in newspaper and store at a degree or two. This way the roots will keep for up to six months.
» Good storage locations: Outdoor sandboxes and underground cellars, please pay attention to the temperature so that the roots do not start to sprout prematurely. You have the advantage that you can plant and harvest fresh chicory all winter long.
Step 3: Bringing chicory to life
After all the preparatory work, the time has finally come: Use a planting aid to poke holes in the ground, approximately five to ten centimeters apart. Put the roots in the ground, the base of the leaves should be just below the surface of the ground. Pour everything carefully and always keep slightly moist.
Now stretch a black film or fleece over the box. Chicory also sprout in the light, but then the leaves become very bitter. The darkness prevents chlorophyll and bitter substances from forming. The sprouts are ready to harvest after about three to a maximum of six weeks. What you don't eat right away can be stored in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for two to three days. If you still have roots left, you can always put the next ones in the forcing box.
Here is a video tutorial:
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