Radicchio is a perennial cultivated form of leaf chicory, commonly used in Italian cuisine. It is grown as a leaf vegetable and usually has colourful, white-veined red leaves that form a head. Throughout the growing season, fertilize radicchioplants with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules, following label directions. Learn how to growradicchio from seed, for full heads, baby leaf, or salad mix. Tips on culture, thermal dormancy, direct-sowing, and transplanting. Because of its shallow roots, growingradicchio needs frequent, shallow water. Keep the soil well-watered to encourage healthy, prolific plants and to reduce bitterness. Radicchiogrows best in cooler climates in well-drained and composted soil, including containers; when the weather cooperates you may be able to harvest twice from one plant. Radicchio thrives in cooler temps so try growing it during fall or early springtime. If your radicchioplants are established, they can handle a little frost. Cultivating and plantingradicchio. Radicchio is particularly sensitive in its juvenile stage. They require optimal conditions to grow. Radicchio is also “forced” by harvesting whole plants, trimming the roots, and growing in water or peat moss in dark conditions indoors. Radicchio is a resilient perennial in many climates, and plants that survive winter will promptly grow a fast flush of leaves in spring, followed by beautiful blue flowers. Don’t be surprised when radicchio sprouts up green; this is typical and leaves will redden as they mature. The plantsgrew to 12 in. high with large red and green leaves. 1. Choose a planting time based on your climate zone. In cold weather climates, direct seed radicchio in early spring two to three weeks before the last frost for a late summer harvest. There are a few radicchio varieties to choose from, all of which are easy to care for and grow. This article can help get you started. Radicchio is a cool-weather leafy crop that’s far more versatile than you might expect. Learn how to grow this chicory relative now on Gardener's Path. Radicchio is a cabbage-like cultivated form of leaf chicory. It is a perennial plant that heads up much like a cabbage but has a bolder flavor and is red in color.
