Chicory - VNS

Chicory is a perennial, cool-season herb from the sunflower family with a deep tap-root. It is highly palatable, nutritionally akin to alfalfa or cool-season grasses, thriving in well-drained soils with medium to optimal phosphorous, potassium levels, and a pH of 5.5 or higher. It resists drought due to its deep taproot. Chicory is a low-growing rosette plant with broad leaves, resembling a dandelion, that produces a significant leafy growth in the spring and can reach heights of up to 6 feet if not grazed.

Originating from Central Europe, chicory has been cultivated for over 300 years. Chicory is typically established in the spring and sometimes in the fall for southern states. It can be seeded alone or in mixtures.