Radicchio in Zone 3a & 3b
Cichorium intybus
When to plant radicchio in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Radicchio tolerates either.
| Start indoors | May 2–May 9 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 30–Jun 6 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 13–Aug 20 (~75 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1.5 ft.
Radicchio is a chicory grown for a tight, wine-red head with white ribs and a bitterness that people either build meals around or quietly compost. Grilled or roasted, the bitterness turns sweet. Raw in a salad in July, it can be close to inedible.
How radicchio fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Radicchio needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Radicchio.
Where to buy radicchio seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing radicchio" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Radicchio in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest