Forage Chicory, Broadleaf

Common Cover Crop Chicory Seed

Deep taproots loosen compacted soil and recycle minerals
Nutritious leafy forage supports managed grazing systems
Drought-tolerant growth performs reliably on poorer soils
Adds erosion control and pollinator value

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Cichorium intybus

Days to maturity

70 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About Common, Cover Crop Chicory Seed, Cover Crop Chicory Seed

Chicory has a long taproot that penetrates subsoils which makes it drought tolerant and allows it to make minerals more available to livestock. Rich in potassium, sulfur, calcium, zinc, sodium, manganese and iron. When managed properly, Chicory produces leafy growth which is higher in nutritive and mineral content than alfalfa and other cool season grasses. Used mainly in mixes with other pasture or cover crop seeds.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Row Spacing

Broadcast or Drill

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Biennial

Plant Height

60 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

26,625

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Cover Crop Chicory grows best in an open site with drainage and soil conditions suited to cover crop chicory. Control perennial weeds, remove heavy residue if it will interfere with seeding, and prepare a firm seedbed; use a soil test to correct major deficiencies. Confirm the planting window and termination plan before sowing, especially when the crop could overwinter or reseed.

Planting

Direct sow cover crop chicory during its recommended seasonal window, when enough growing time remains for establishment. Broadcast or drill seed evenly, then roll or press the area to ensure firm seed-to-soil contact. Keep the surface moist until seedlings establish if rainfall is insufficient. These crops normally form a stand and are not thinned; use the separate seeding-rate guidance to control density.

Watering

Water cover crop chicory during establishment whenever rainfall is insufficient. Once rooted, field stands generally rely on rainfall; irrigate during prolonged drought only when continued growth is desired, avoiding saturated soil.

Fertilizer

Fertilize cover crop chicory according to soil-test results and the crop’s purpose. Use nitrogen only when needed for growth, avoiding overapplication that causes lodging, runoff, or excessive residue.

Harvesting

Harvest or terminate cover crop chicory according to its purpose. Cut for tender forage before stems become coarse, or terminate near early flowering for manageable residue and to prevent unwanted reseeding.

Tips

Plan how and when cover crop chicory will be terminated before planting. Mow or incorporate before viable seed develops, and allow residue time to break down before sowing the following crop.

AVG. Seeding Rate

¼ lb./1,000 sq.ft.; 3–4 lb./acre

Pests & Diseases

Cover crop chicory may host anthracnose, downy mildew, Sclerotinia crown rot, and bacterial soft rot. Disease becomes most important when chicory remains for multiple seasons. Avoid grazing or mowing wet stands, rotate broadleaf crops after serious crown rot, and terminate patches that repeatedly collapse.

Inspect cover crop chicory regularly for aphids, mites, slugs, caterpillars, and other chewing or sap-feeding pests. Remove pests physically when practical and use only correctly identified, labeled controls when damage becomes significant.