How to Grow Chicory Catalogna Magra
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Chicory Catalogna Magra
Cichorium intybus var. catalogna
vegetableChicory Catalogna Magra, also known as Italian Dandelion or Asparagus Chicory, is a leafy green vegetable prized for its tender, elongated leaves and edible shoots. This Italian heirloom variety produces slender, deeply lobed leaves with a pleasant bitter taste that mellows with cooking. It's a cool-season crop that can be harvested multiple times throughout the season.
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Example Chicory Catalogna Magra timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Chicory Catalogna Magra
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 Magra
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Chicory Catalogna Magra dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; prefers cool seasons (spring and fall)
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Germination
7-14 daysSeeds sprout and first true leaves emerge; seedlings are delicate with initial cotyledon leaves
Keep soil consistently moist; maintain temperatures between 60-70°F. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Seedling
2-3 weeksYoung plants develop 2-4 true leaves and establish a small root system
Continue consistent watering and bright light. Begin fertilizing weekly with dilute balanced fertilizer. Ensure good air circulation to prevent damping off.
Leaf Production & Harvest
4-8 weeks or until boltingPlant reaches harvestable size with numerous tender outer leaves; central shoots begin to elongate
Begin harvesting outer leaves to encourage continued production. Keep soil moist and temperatures cool. In fall, light frost improves flavor. Remove flower buds if plant bolts.
Maturity/Bolting
Varies; occurs more readily in heat and long daysPlant develops tall flower stalks with blue flowers; leaves become tougher and more bitter
Plant becomes less palatable once bolting begins. Harvest remaining leaves immediately. Allow some plants to flower if saving seeds. Prevent bolting by maintaining cool temperatures and consistent moisture.
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage predatory insects like ground beetles
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Spray with strong water spray to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; use copper barriers; create beer traps; encourage ground beetles and toads
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Ensure good air circulation; spray with baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon water); remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering
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Remove and destroy affected leaves; use yellow sticky traps; apply neem oil; encourage parasitic wasps
Uses
Cooked greens and shoots
CulinaryYoung leaves can be eaten raw in salads, but are most commonly cooked (sautéed, braised, or added to soups and pasta dishes). The tender shoots are prized in Italian cuisine and have a flavor similar to asparagus. Light cooking mellows the pleasant bitterness. [source]
Baby leaf salad greens
CulinaryVery young, tender leaves (harvested at 2-3 inches) can be added to mixed salads for a pleasantly bitter, complex flavor that complements milder greens. [source]
Digestive and liver support
MedicinalChicory has a long history in folk medicine for supporting digestion and liver function. The roots and leaves contain inulin and other compounds that may promote digestive health and beneficial gut bacteria. [source]
Coffee substitute
HouseholdWhile this leaf variety is less commonly used than root chicory for this purpose, the roasted roots can be ground and brewed as a caffeine-free coffee alternative or mixed with coffee. The leaves can also be dried for herbal tea. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeIf allowed to flower, chicory produces attractive blue flowers that are excellent nectar sources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. [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 leaves when plants are 6-8 inches tall by pinching or cutting outer leaves from the base, allowing the center to continue growing. This encourages multiple harvests. Harvest in the morning for best flavor and crispness. For tender shoots, allow plants to grow to full size and harvest the central flowering stems before flowers open. The entire plant can be cut 1-2 inches above soil level for regrowth. Flavor improves after light frosts. Continue harvesting until plants bolt in response to heat or long days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Chicory Catalogna Magra is an Italian heirloom variety that has been cultivated for centuries, particularly in Southern Italy and Sicily, where it remains a staple in traditional cuisine.
- 🌱 The name 'Catalogna' may derive from Catalonia in Spain, reflecting the historical trade routes and plant migrations across the Mediterranean region.
- 🌱 Chicory flowers are used in traditional medicine and folklore; in some cultures, blue chicory flowers are associated with wishes and are called 'Wishing Flowers' because if you pick one at noon, it will close by evening.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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