Radicchio in Zone 9a & 9b
Cichorium intybus
When to plant radicchio in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Jan 18–Jan 25 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated harvest | May 1–May 8 (~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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 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 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Radicchio in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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