Lupine Mixed - organic-seeds

Wild chicory with blue flowers

Wild chicory is a hardy perennial known for its beautiful sky-blue flowers, which brighten up gardens throughout the summer. Originally from Europe, it is also valued for its edible roots, which can be used in infusions or roasted as a coffee substitute. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads. This plant is not only a visual asset for your garden but is also highly honey-rich, attracting pollinators.

Growing Tips for Wild Chicory with Blue Flowers

🌱 Sowing Time: Sow wild chicory outdoors from April to July. For early cultivation, sow indoors starting from March.
🌿 Sowing Depth: Sow at a depth of 1 cm, covering lightly with fine soil. Press gently and water moderately.
🌳 Plant Spacing: Space the plants 25 to 30 cm apart, with 30 to 40 cm between rows for optimal growth.

Growing Conditions

☀️ Light: Wild chicory prefers a sunny location, but can tolerate partial shade.
🌍 Soil: It adapts to most soils but grows best in well-draining, nutrient-rich, and lightly alkaline soil. It can also tolerate dry and poor soils.
💧 Watering: Water moderately. Water regularly during germination and growth phases, after which less water is required since the plant tolerates drought well.

Maintenance of Wild Chicory

🌾 Weeding and hoeing: Regularly remove weeds to reduce competition and promote growth.
🌸 Deadheading: Remove faded flowers to extend the blooming period or allow them to form seeds for self-seeding.

Wild chicory requires little maintenance and is ideal for sustainable cultivation.

Harvesting Wild Chicory

🥗 Edible Parts: The leaves, roots, and flowers are edible.
🍃 Leaves: Harvest young leaves for salads or later for cooked dishes.
🌱 Roots: Harvest in the fall for use in tea or roasted as a coffee substitute.
🌸 Flowers: Pick in summer for decoration or to make tea.

Uses of Wild Chicory

Culinary:

• Leaves: Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads for a light bitter taste or cooked like spinach.
• Roots: Roasted, they serve as a coffee substitute.
• Flowers: The flowers are decorative and edible, adding color to dishes.

Medicinal Uses:
Wild chicory is known for its digestive, diuretic, and detoxifying properties. Infusions made from the leaves and roots stimulate appetite, support liver function, and help cleanse the body.

Preservation of Wild Chicory

• Drying: Dry the leaves and roots in the shade and store them airtight for tea and decoctions.
• Freezing: After washing, freeze the young leaves for later use in cooking.

Garden Combinations

Wild chicory is a valuable companion plant, attracting pollinators with its blue flowers and promoting biodiversity. It pairs well with carrots, lettuce, and leeks. Additionally, its deep roots help loosen the soil and improve soil structure.