How to Grow Chicory Catalogna
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Chicory Catalogna
Cichorium intybus var. foliosum
vegetableChicory Catalogna, also known as Italian dandelion or Asparagus chicory, is a leafy green vegetable prized for its tender shoots and leaves. It produces long, slender stems with deeply lobed leaves that resemble dandelion greens. This Italian heirloom variety is increasingly popular among home gardeners for its mild flavor and nutritional density.
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Example Chicory Catalogna timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Chicory Catalogna
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 Chicory Catalogna
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Chicory Catalogna dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; tolerates cool and mild climates well
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny leaves emerge 7-10 days after sowing; plants develop first true leaves with characteristic lobed edges
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they reach 2-3 inches tall. Provide bright light.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop multiple rosette leaves with deeply cut, dandelion-like foliage; stems begin to elongate
Water consistently, maintain even soil moisture. Begin light fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Thin to final spacing if not yet done.
Leaf Development
2-3 weeksVigorous shoot and leaf production; plants form increasingly dense rosettes with long, slender stems
Provide consistent moisture and nutrients. Mulch around base to retain moisture. Pinch off any flower buds if extending harvest season is desired.
Maturity & Harvest-Ready
Ongoing, 3-8 weeks depending on harvest methodPlants reach 12-18 inches tall with abundant tender shoots and fully developed leaves; ready for continuous picking or harvest
Begin harvesting outer leaves and shoots. Continue regular watering and fertilizing if doing cut-and-come-again harvesting. Monitor for pests.
Bolting (Optional)
4-6 weeksIf left unharvested, plants produce tall flower stalks with blue or purple flowers and developing seeds
Allow to bolt only if saving seeds. Otherwise, remove flower buds to extend leafy harvest season. Bolting reduces leaf quality.
Common Pests
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Use row covers early in season, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or diatomaceous earth. Remove garden debris where they overwinter.
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and
Handpick in early morning or evening, use beer traps, apply copper tape barriers, encourage natural predators like ground beetles.
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Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Handpick, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), neem oil, or row covers during vulnerable stages.
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide or insecticidal soap, introduce predatory mites.
Uses
Sautéed Greens & Side Dishes
CulinaryYoung leaves and shoots are tender and mild with a slight bittersweet flavor, excellent sautéed with garlic and oil, added to pasta, or steamed. Mature plants have more pronounced bitter notes prized in Italian cuisine. [source]
Raw Salads
CulinaryVery young, tender leaves can be used raw in salads, providing a pleasant bitter note that balances other ingredients. Older leaves are better cooked. [source]
Digestive & Liver Support
MedicinalChicory is traditionally used as a digestive tonic and supports liver and gallbladder function. Contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that promotes beneficial gut bacteria. [source]
Chicory Coffee Substitute
HouseholdRoasted chicory root has been used as a coffee substitute or additive since the 19th century, providing a similar flavor without caffeine. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, the blue-purple blooms attract bees and other pollinators. The plants also support beneficial insects and provide late-season forage. [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 when plants reach 8-10 inches tall. Use a cut-and-come-again method, harvesting outer leaves and stems first, allowing the center to continue growing. For maximum tenderness, harvest in the morning after cooler nights. Catalogna can be harvested continuously over 4-8 weeks or cut entirely at soil level for regeneration. Spring and fall plantings produce the most tender, least bitter leaves. In summer heat, leaves become more bitter.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Chicory Catalogna is known as 'Puntarelle' in Italy when harvested at a specific stage where the stems curl into decorative loops; these are traditionally served as a spring delicacy with anchovy dressing.
- 🌱 The entire chicory plant is edible—leaves for salads, stems for cooking, and roots can be roasted to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute that has been popular in Europe for centuries.
- 🌱 Chicory is extremely cold-hardy and actually improves in flavor after a light frost, as the plant converts starches to sugars for frost protection, making fall harvests particularly sweet and tender.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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