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When to Plant Radicchio in Wayne County, KY

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.

Wayne County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 3,122 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 54.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radicchio during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radicchio root diseases.

Wayne County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Radicchio

Radicchio needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Radicchio Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Radicchio Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, KY

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 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25

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

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

185 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Wayne 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radicchio in Wayne County, KY?

Wayne County is in Zone 6b 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 Wayne County, KY?

Wayne County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Wayne County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.