How to intercrop chicory
How to intercrop chicory
Chicory (Cichorium intybus L., 1753) is a herbaceous species of the Asteraceae family, cultivated for centuries in its most diverse varieties and whose most frequent use in cooking is that of the leaves in salads (fresh or cooked).
If you make constant use of fresh leaves you will also obtain many medicinal benefits.
To avoid an excessive bitter taste, the leaves should be collected before flowering or the innermost part should be eliminated. They are then blanched in plenty of lightly salted water and can then be sautéed in a pan with oil, garlic and chilli pepper.
Furthermore, the root of the plant, if roasted, becomes an excellent substitute for coffee.
This use was very popular especially in times of war, when coffee imports slowed down.
Furthermore, if boiled, the root represents a good food alternative for diabetics.
Chicory is a plant that benefits considerably from the intercropping technique.
Among the plants that can be associated with chicory we remember: carrot, onion, chard, bean, fennel, lettuce, nasturtium, tomato, radish and spinach.
Let’s look specifically at some beneficial effects of intercropping with some plants:
Carrots: Carrots can benefit from the proximity of chicory as this can help deter some common carrot pests.
Onions: Onions can help keep away insects that could damage chicory.
Leeks: Leeks are another good option since they don’t compete with chicory for the same resources and can help deter pests.
Lettuce: Lettuce grows well alongside chicory and can benefit from the shade provided by chicory’s larger leaves.
Spinach: Spinach can be planted near chicory, benefiting from the same growing conditions without overly competing for resources.
Chard: Chard is also a good choice for intercropping with chicory.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes can benefit from chicory, which can help improve soil structure and keep some pests away.
Beans: beans, being legumes, can enrich the soil with nitrogen, an important nutrient for chicory.
However, it is important to point out that it is necessary to avoid planting chicory next to plants with which it could compete for the same resources or which could attract the same parasites, such as other plants of the Asteraceae family.