Radicchio in Zone 5a & 5b
Cichorium intybus
When to plant radicchio in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 12–Apr 19 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 24–Jul 31 (~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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 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 →
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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 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Radicchio in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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