You can harvest the leaves, roots, and seeds of chicory.It is possible to harvest roots from fall to early spring.Although you can harvest the leaves at any time during the growing season, they are less bitter in early springtime.It is a good time to collect seeds or blanche chicory.If you don't grow your own chicory, you can find it growing in fields or alongside rural roads.
Step 1: Fall through spring is a good time to harvest roots.
If you want the best root yield, plant it after the last day of March.Between September 1st and November 15th, collect the roots.
Step 2: Pull slowly and grab the whole plant.
To get the root out of the ground without damaging it, use a hand trowel.The roots are as deep as two feet.There are crowns five to seven inches (13 to 18 cm) in diameter.The usable portion of the root is between nine and ten inches.You can add the tops of the plants to a compost pile if you don't want them.
Step 3: Store the roots.
The tops should be clipped two inches above the roots.You can store them in a humid location for up to three months.
Step 4: Before use, you should clean the roots.
Use a brush to scrub the roots.Use a sharp, heavy knife to cut them into pieces.A strong grinder can be used to grind them.They can be used for roasting and/or brew.
Step 5: If you want to force the roots, harvest them in autumn.
After the first frost, dig out roots that have a top diameter of at least 1.5-2 inches.If you bruise them, they may rot.Leave the leaves undamaged.In a garden covered with straw or in boxes of sand, place the roots side by side until needed.”Forcing” vegetables is when you move them to an artificial growing environment, such as a greenhouse, to produce a harvest outside of the normal growing season.The chemical makeup of the roots changes when they are frozen.
Step 6: Take care of tender leaves in the springtime.
The leaves should be at least six to eight inches long.The leaves are bitter after early spring.You can boil them to make them less bitter.The leaves are ready for harvest.The Red Rib variety can be Harvested in 35 days.
Step 7: Only the top of the plant can be collected.
Cut the top of the plant with hand clippers.Plants with the tops broken off will either grow or add to the soil.Pull slowly to keep the whole plant.To get the root out of the ground, use a hand trowel.If you want to compost the roots, cut them at two inches above them.
Step 8: The leaves should be washed twice.
Under the water, rinse the leaves with a sieve.The leaves should be put over paper towels or a clean work surface.Remove dead leaves and grass from them.The leaves should be washed again.
Step 9: The leaves should be drained.
To remove excess water from the sink, jiggle the sieve lightly.Allow the leaves to drain by placing the sieve over the container or paper towels.
Step 10: Put the leaves in a container.
The leaves will not retain their flavor if they are frozen.The leaves can be refrigerated for up to ten days.The leaves of the plant should be eaten fresh.
Step 11: If desired, blanche chicory in the summer.
When a chicory patch has blossom stalks, run it over with a lawnmower.Wait until the leaves come back, then cover the area with black plastic.You can harvest a crop of blanched leaves by lifting the plastic.You may want to cover a space of four feet by six feet.The edges of the plastic can be held down by large rocks or pieces of pipe.French endive is often blanched for use in salads.
Step 12: In the summertime, collect seeds from plants.
Plants whose leaves have not been trimmed should be chosen.It's a good time to choose a warm, dry morning.In July, the seed collection from chicory is done.Wear gardening gloves and watch out for small bees.
Step 13: The plants should be dried.
As with herbs, you can dry chicory.If you want to air dry plants, tie them near the ends of the stems.Wrap them in bags that collect fallen seeds.For seven to ten days, place them in aventilated location.You can either use an oven or microwave to dry the plants or place them on a rack in an airing cupboard or warming drawer.If you live in a humid area, try using a small commercial dehydrator.
Step 14: The dried plants need to be separated from the seeds.
There are seeds between bunches of leaves.Carefully scoop the seeds with a spoon or round tweezers.A faster method is to crush thepods in a cloth bag or plant the wholepods.Place seedpods in a cloth bag and smash it with a mallet.Remove unneeded debris by screen and winnow them.If you don't separate the seeds, multiple seedlings will grow close together and need to be thin.
Step 15: Wear clothes that protect you.
It's a good idea to put on gardening gloves.If you are looking for ticks in a field, wear long pants, socks and a hat.You may want to protect yourself from bugs.
Step 16: Search in sunny areas with well-drained soil.
The soil has a pH of 5.8 to 6.5 and it is cool and moist.There are fields, vacant city lots, gardens, disturbed ground, and alongside rural roads where chicory can be found.It is important to be alert for traffic when you are collecting wildflowers.Don't collect plants from private property with "No Trespassing" signs.You can check with your city hall to see if you can collect plants from vacant land.
Step 17: The plant is called chicory.
There are ragged petals that are usually a blue lavender color and can sometimes appear white or pink.The buds are 2.5 cm in diameter.The plant has branched stem joints that are three inches long.The leaves look like dandelion leaves.There are many varieties of chickpeas.You should consult with at least two field guides and/or online plant databases if you don't know if a plant is chicory.