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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Chicory
Deep-rooted mineral miner with 18-25% protein. Natural deworming properties. Top summer deer forage. 10-18 inch taproot. Cichorium intybus. Zones 3-8.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The mineral miner of the pasture world. Chicory's 10-18 inch taproot accesses calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and other minerals from deep soil layers that grass roots can't reach, concentrating them in leaves that livestock and wildlife consume. Forage chicory varieties (like Puna, Choice, and Oasis) have been selected for high leaf production, low fiber, and drought tolerance, making chicory one of the highest-quality forages available in summer when grass quality declines. Deer prefer chicory over almost any other food plot species in summer—it's the foundation of warm-season food plot programs.
Category
Forb
Type
Chicory
Scientific Name
Cichorium intybus
Zones
3-8
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The mineral miner of the pasture world. Chicory's 10-18 inch taproot accesses calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and other minerals from deep soil layers that grass roots can't reach, concentrating them in leaves that livestock and wildlife consume. Forage chicory varieties (like Puna, Choice, and Oasis) have been selected for high leaf production, low fiber, and drought tolerance, making chicory one of the highest-quality forages available in summer when grass quality declines. Deer prefer chicory over almost any other food plot species in summer—it's the foundation of warm-season food plot programs.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Plant April-May or August; prep clean bed
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer with phosphorus
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Plant 1/4" deep max; firm seedbed
Step 5
Keep moist during germination
Step 6
Graze when 8-12" tall; mow woody flower stalks
Best For
Summer food plots for deer (top-choice warm-season forage)|Livestock pasture improvement (mineral mining, anti-parasitic)|Drought-prone pastures (deep taproot stays green in summer)|Organic livestock operations (natural deworming properties)|Mixed pasture with grasses and clovers for year-round grazing|Wildlife habitat enhancement|Homestead multi-species grazing
FAQs
1.
What is buckwheat?
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a deep-rooted perennial herb used as a high-quality livestock forage, deer food plot species, and soil-improving plant. Forage chicory contains 15-25% crude protein, higher mineral content than most grasses, and natural anthelmintic (deworming) compounds that reduce internal parasite loads in sheep, goats, and cattle. Its deep taproot (4-6+ feet) accesses moisture and minerals from subsoil, making it drought-tolerant and nutrient-dense.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Endure is an improved forage chicory variety developed for better persistence, leafier growth, and reduced bolting (premature flower stalk production) compared to common chicory. Endure produces more leaf material relative to stems, stays vegetative longer into the season, and maintains quality over multiple grazing cycles. It is the most widely recommended forage chicory variety for pasture, food plot, and multi-species grazing applications in the northeastern United States.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Forage chicory is a perennial that persists 3-7 years under proper grazing management. Stand life depends heavily on grazing practice—rotational grazing with 25-35 day rest periods maximizes persistence, while continuous close grazing depletes root reserves and shortens stand life to 2-3 years. Allow chicory to reach 8-10 inches before grazing and remove animals at 2-3 inches. Chicory also self-seeds when flower stalks are allowed to mature.
4.
Does chicory help control internal parasites in livestock?
Yes. Research demonstrates that chicory contains condensed tannins and sesquiterpene lactones that reduce gastrointestinal nematode (internal parasite) loads in sheep, goats, and cattle. Studies show 30-60% reductions in fecal egg counts when animals graze chicory-containing pastures compared to grass-only pastures. Chicory does not replace chemical dewormers entirely but is a valuable component of integrated parasite management, particularly for organic and low-input livestock operations.
5.
When should I plant chicory?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
Can chicory be mixed with grass and clover in pastures?
Yes—chicory is most productive as a component of multi-species pastures rather than in pure stands. A proven combination is perennial ryegrass or orchardgrass (8-12 lbs/acre) + white clover (2-3 lbs/acre) + chicory (1-2 lbs/acre). The grass provides energy, clover provides nitrogen fixation, and chicory provides mineral nutrition and parasite-suppression benefits. Chicory typically comprises 10-20% of a mixed stand and fills a unique nutritional niche that grasses and legumes cannot.