How to Grow Catalogna Precoce
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Catalogna Precoce
Cichorium intybus var. catalogna
vegetableCatalogna Precoce is an Italian heirloom chicory variety known for its distinctive dandelion-like leaves and tender stems. This early-maturing cultivar produces both edible leaves and elongated, asparagus-like shoots that are prized in Mediterranean cuisine. It's a cool-season crop valued for its slightly bitter, complex flavor and nutritional density.
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Example Catalogna Precoce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Catalogna Precoce
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Catalogna Precoce
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Catalogna Precoce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8; prefers cool weather
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Get my Catalogna Precoce timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny serrated cotyledons emerge, followed by characteristic dandelion-like leaves with deep lobes.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Protect from harsh wind.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksRosette of deeply lobed, tender leaves expands. Plant develops a strong taproot system.
Water consistently and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Remove any flowering shoots to promote leaf and shoot development.
Shoot Development
2-3 weeksTender, pale green, asparagus-like shoots begin to form from the crown and leaf axils.
Maintain steady moisture and nutrients. Some growers earthen up (blanch) the shoots by mounding soil around the plant base to keep shoots pale and tender.
Pre-Harvest
1-2 weeksShoots reach 4-6 inches long and thicken slightly. Leaves remain tender but flavorful.
Cut outer leaves and shoots as needed to encourage continued production. Water regularly to support new growth.
Maturity & Decline
Variable; typically 1-2 weeks before boltingPlant may begin to bolt or flower, especially in warming conditions. Shoots become tougher and more fibrous.
Harvest all usable material before flowering. Plant can be pulled entirely or left to regrow for fall crop in cool climates.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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and
Hand-pick at dusk, use copper barriers, encourage ground beetles, apply diatomaceous earth around plants
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Spray with strong water jet, use insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs, neem oil as last resort
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Use floating row covers early, dust with neem or kaolin, encourage parasitic wasps
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Avoid planting near other chicory crops, rotate crops yearly, use row covers
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Hand-pick, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), protect with row covers
Uses
Sautéed Shoots & Greens
CulinaryThe tender shoots and young leaves are delicious sautéed with garlic and olive oil, similar to asparagus or broccoli rabe. The slightly bitter flavor complements pasta, risotto, and grain dishes in Mediterranean cuisine. [source]
Salads & Raw Preparations
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves add a pleasantly bitter note to mixed green salads. Raw shoots can be blanched briefly or eaten as a crunchy, artichoke-like delicacy. [source]
Digestive & Liver Support
MedicinalCatalogna contains inulin and other compounds traditionally used to support digestive health and liver function. It has been used in Italian folk medicine as a natural tonic for metabolism. [source]
Root Coffee Substitute
HouseholdThe dried, roasted roots can be ground and brewed as a caffeine-free coffee substitute with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, popular in European folk traditions. [source]
Pollinator Nectar Source
WildlifeIf allowed to flower, Catalogna produces small blue flowers that attract bees and beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity and natural pest control. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant is 6-8 inches tall, cutting 2-3 inches above soil level to allow regrowth. For shoots, cut when they reach 4-6 inches long and are still tender, harvesting from the outside inward. Use a sharp knife to cleanly cut both leaves and shoots. The plant can provide continuous harvest for 3-4 weeks in cool weather. Best flavor occurs in cool temperatures (55-70°F); harvest in early morning for crispest texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Catalogna Precoce is also known as Italian Dandelion or Radichetta, and has been cultivated in southern Italy and Sicily for centuries, where it remains a staple of traditional cuisine.
- 🌱 The name 'Precoce' means 'early' in Italian, referring to this variety's rapid maturity compared to other chicory types—it's one of the fastest-growing catalogna cultivars.
- 🌱 Chicory was so valued by ancient Romans that they recorded its cultivation, and during European history it was often mixed with scarce coffee to extend supplies and reduce costs during wars and shortages.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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