← Crop Library

Radicchio

Rossa di Treviso

Asteraceae

Spacing4 per sq ft
Days to Harvest70d
Expected Yield4 heads

Radicchio

No photo yet · Tap Generate to create one

AI-generated botanical watercolor illustration of Radicchio.

Text me when to plant radicchio

Get a month-by-month radicchio growing summary texted to your phone — sow windows, harvest timing, and what to do this week. No app, no account.

We'll text you a one-time summary. Standard message rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

Variety History

Rossa di Treviso is a prized Italian variety from the Veneto region, with elongated heads and striking red and white variegation. Radicchio cultivation was refined in Italy in the 19th century through selective breeding of wild chicory.

Regional Context

Radicchio is a revelation for PNW gardeners — our cool autumns produce spectacular heads with deep red color and complex bitter-sweet flavor. The Italian heirlooms (Rossa di Treviso, Chioggia, Castelfranco) are worth seeking out. Sow in July for October-January harvest. It is essentially a winter crop here.

Growing Technique

Direct sow in June-July for fall/winter harvest. Radicchio needs cool weather to form tight heads and develop red color. Sow 1/4" deep, 4 seeds per sq ft. Thin to 12" apart. Keep moist. Heads develop through fall — cold nights intensify the red color and mellow the bitterness. Harvest when heads are firm, typically October-November. Radicchio is a chicory — related to endive, with the same pleasant bitterness. Cut heads at base; the root may re-sprout for a second smaller harvest.

Watch For

  • Bolting if spring-planted — radicchio requires shortening days to head. Tip burn from inconsistent watering. Slugs love the tight heads. Bitterness is a feature, not a bug — but excessive bitterness comes from heat and drought. Loose heads (not forming tight balls) from planting too early or too close.

Recipes