Planting and Growing Guide for Radicchio (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum)
Description
Radicchio is a type of chicory that features a colorful red and white head with green outer leaves. Radicchio has a unique tang and slightly bitter taste that is ideal for many dishes. Use Radicchio like you do with spinach, cabbage or lettuce and other leafy greens. Radicchio can be added to salads, stir-fry dishes, soups and stews. It also makes an ideal vegetable a side-serve with grilled or baked meats or vegetable dishes. Radicchio is easy to plant and grow in pots or garden beds.
It can be planted out from seeds or seedlings when soil temperatures are above about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). Radicchio survives light frosts, but freezing conditions damages the plants, especially the seedlings. Radicchio grows best in cool conditions, like other cabbage varieties. It tends to bolt in hot weather, but some varieties are more resistant to this. Radicchio prefers deep, rich, and well-drained, acidic soils with a heavy organic matter content.
Radicchio has many uses. Continuously pick the outer baby leaves. Use them as a leafy green and to add colour to winter salads. The young leaves are less bitter. Wash the leaves, splash with olive oil and then grill or roast them. The Radicchio head can be finely sliced or chopped and used in a similar way to cabbage. Chopped leaves can be added to stir-fry dishes. Large red chicory leaves can be stuffed with seasoned mince, cooked diced chicken or vegetables. They can be rolled and then grilled, baked or barbecued.
Planting Guide
Seed Depth: Sow seed directly in the soil at a depth about 10 mm (1/2 inch)
Space between plants: Space plants 25-35 cm (10 inches) apart. Sow seeds at half this spacing and thin when established to avoid over-crowding. Spacing between rows about 30 cm (12-15 inches)
Harvest Time: First harvest in about 20 weeks. Pick smaller leaves continuously. Plant in batches
Hints:
- Keep well watered. Radicchio is shallow rooted and needs moist soil to grow. Surround young seedlings with a deep cover of mulch to impede weed growth and help to retain soil moisture.
- Cover plants in Spring if late frosts expected
- The young outer leaves can be harvested continuously and can be used in salads and stir-fries
- Weed well in the early stages until plants are established. Feed regularly with liquid fertiliser
- Avoid excess bitterness by growing the plants quickly and avoiding growth checks. Heads can become bitter in warm weather.
- Radicchio grows best in full sun or partial shade.
- Seeds will take about 10-14 days to germinate.
- Stop the plants from drying-out they may go to seed, so water well and often
- Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails. Watch out for powdery mildew.
Disclaimer: The PlantWhatWhen vegetable planting guide is only designed for use as a very general reference for home gardening purposes. It is not to be used for farming, markets or commercial activities of any kind whatsoever. We take absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy and adequacy of the information provided on this site. We recommend that you consider your local climate, weather patterns and conditions when deciding what and when to plant in your home garden. It's entirely your own decision. Happy Gardening and Best Wishes!