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When to Plant Radicchio in Sheboygan County, WI

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.

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 710 feet, Sheboygan County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radicchio to ensure they mature before fall.

Sheboygan County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Sheboygan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 396 gal / 100 sq ft
Radicchio needs ~910 GDD — county provides 2,249 GDD Excellent fit

Radicchio Planting Timeline โ€” Sheboygan County, WI

Radicchio Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 3

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 5a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan County, WI?

Sheboygan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Radicchio planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheboygan County, WI?

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sheboygan County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Sheboygan County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.