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When to Plant Radicchio in Haskell County, KS

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.

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 824 feet, Haskell County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radicchio during the growing season.

Haskell County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Haskell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Haskell County

How your county's soil matches Radicchio's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.4) overlaps with Radicchio's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Haskell County is excellent for Radicchio โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Radicchio will thrive.

How to Plant Radicchio

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Radicchio

3
successive plantings in your 183-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Radicchio

Radicchio needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Radicchio Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.5" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3" 2.8" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 3" 1.6" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 3" 2.2" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3" 2.3" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 3" 2.2" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3" 2.1" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Haskell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Radicchio Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Radicchio needs ~962 GDD — county provides 2,516 GDD Excellent fit

Radicchio Planting Timeline โ€” Haskell County, KS

Radicchio Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 25
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

183 days in Haskell County

Growing Tips for Radicchio in Haskell County

Direct sow Radicchio outdoors after April 18 in Haskell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Radicchio in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radicchio in Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Radicchio planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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