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When to Plant Radicchio in Fayette County, IN

Radicchio is an Italian chicory with stunning red and white leaves and a pleasantly bitter flavor. It forms tight heads and is used in salads, grilled, or braised.

Fayette County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 612 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radicchio during the growing season.

Fayette County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 272 gal / 100 sq ft
Radicchio needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,062 GDD Excellent fit

Radicchio Planting Timeline โ€” Fayette County, IN

Radicchio Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 1

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Fayette County

Start in late summer for fall harvest. The red color develops with cool nights and light frost. Harvest when heads are firm and compact.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radicchio in Fayette County, IN?

Fayette County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Radicchio planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, IN?

Fayette County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fayette County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fayette County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.