Radicchio in Zone 4a & 4b
Cichorium intybus
When to plant radicchio in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b 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 | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 15–May 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 29–Aug 5 (~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 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. 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 →
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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 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Radicchio in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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