Chicory ‘Puna’ Green Manure & Forage Seeds

Chicory ‘Puna’ Green Manure & Forage Seeds

Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus

Chicory ‘Puna’ is a deep-rooted perennial forage herb used for soil conditioning, pasture improvement, green manure mixes, mineral cycling, and drought-resilient ground cover. It develops a strong taproot that helps open compacted soil, improve water infiltration, and draw nutrients from deeper soil layers.

Although Chicory is not usually grown as a quick dig-in green manure like annual legumes or cereals, it is highly valuable in regenerative systems, orchards, pasture mixes, vineyard rows, food forests, and cover crop blends. Its leafy growth can be cut and returned as mulch, grazed carefully in pasture systems, or used as a long-term living soil improver.

• Deep-rooted perennial forage herb and soil conditioner.
• Strong taproot helps improve compacted soil and water infiltration.
• Useful in green manure blends, pasture mixes, orchards, vineyards, and regenerative systems.
• Draws minerals from deeper soil layers and supports nutrient cycling.
• Produces leafy growth that can be grazed, cut, or used as surface mulch.
• Blue flowers can attract bees and beneficial insects if allowed to bloom.
• Performs best in full sun with well-drained soil and reliable moisture during establishment.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Perennial forage herb, pasture plant, and soil conditioner
• Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
• Variety: Puna
• Growth Height: Approximately 30–80 cm leafy growth; taller when flowering
• Growth Habit: Leafy rosette with upright flower stems when mature
• Root System: Strong deep taproot
• Frost Tolerance: Moderate to good once established
• Drought Tolerance: Good once established due to deep roots
• Best Position: Full sun
• Soil Preference: Well-drained soils; avoid prolonged waterlogging

Best Uses

• Soil conditioning and compaction relief
• Perennial pasture improvement
• Green manure and cover crop blends
• Mineral cycling and deep-rooted soil improvement
• Orchard and vineyard inter-rows
• Food forest and regenerative planting systems
• Forage herb for managed grazing systems
• Pollinator support when allowed to flower
• Living mulch and long-term ground cover

Sowing Information

• Best Sowing Time: Autumn or spring in most suitable regions
• Germination Time: 10–21 days depending on soil temperature and moisture
• Sowing Depth: 5–10 mm
• Position: Full sun preferred
• Soil Type: Tolerates sandy, loam, and clay soils if drainage is adequate
• Watering: Keep moist during germination and early establishment
• Sow Where: Pastures, garden beds, orchards, vineyards, inter-rows, paddocks, and mixed cover crop areas
• Establishment: Slow to moderate at first; keep weeds controlled until plants are well rooted.

Sowing Rate and Coverage

Seed Quantity Guide

Coverage is a guide only. Use higher rates for faster establishment, poorer seedbeds, exposed sites, weed pressure, or where Chicory is being used as a major pasture component.

When to Sow Chicory ‘Puna’ in Australia

How to Sow Chicory ‘Puna’ Seeds

1. Choose a sunny position with well-drained soil.
2. Remove weeds and prepare a fine, firm seedbed.
3. Broadcast seed evenly or drill shallow rows.
4. Cover lightly with approximately 5–10 mm of soil.
5. Press or roll the surface gently for good seed-to-soil contact.
6. Water gently and keep moist until seedlings establish.
7. Control weeds during early establishment while the taproot develops.

Management

• Keep soil moist during germination and early establishment.
• Avoid waterlogged soil, especially while seedlings are small.
• Cut periodically if using as a living mulch or soil conditioner.
• Allow some plants to flower if pollinator support is desired.
• For pasture use, avoid overgrazing and allow recovery between grazing periods.
• Chicory performs best when it has time to develop a strong taproot.

Cutting, Grazing and Incorporation

For soil improvement or green manure use, Chicory can be cut and left as surface mulch, chopped into the soil, or included in mixed cover crop stands. If incorporating, cut before stems become overly woody and allow plant material to break down before planting the next crop. In pasture systems, Chicory should be managed with rotational grazing and allowed time to regrow.

Soil Benefits and Use

Chicory ‘Puna’ is valued for its deep taproot, mineral cycling, drought resilience, and ability to improve soil structure over time. Rather than being only a short-term green manure, it is best used as a perennial soil conditioner, pasture herb, or living mulch in systems where long-term root activity and ground cover are beneficial.

Important Notes

• Chicory is not a nitrogen-fixing legume.
• It is best used for deep rooting, mineral cycling, soil structure, forage, and biodiversity.
• It needs good establishment before it becomes drought resilient.
• Avoid prolonged waterlogging and heavy grazing during early growth.
• Flowering plants can attract bees and beneficial insects.
• Seedlings are small, so good seedbed preparation and weed control are important.

Quick Growing Guide