When to Plant Radicchio in USDA Zone 5a
Your May gardening checklist
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Get radicchio in the ground
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: radicchio
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.
In Zone 5a, the average last spring frost is around April 25 and the first fall frost is around October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
Radicchio Planting Timeline — Zone 5a
Where Is USDA Zone 5a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5a. Click any state to see the Radicchio planting schedule for that location.
Radicchio Planting Calendar — Zone 5a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | June 27 | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–80 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
166 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Radicchio in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Radicchio in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~166 days). Start Radicchio indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Radicchio Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Radicchio in Other Zones
Radicchio by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Radicchio in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, plan your Radicchio planting around the average last frost date of April 25. Start seeds indoors around March 21. Direct sow outdoors around April 11. Transplant seedlings around April 25.
Can Radicchio grow in Zone 5a?
Yes, Radicchio can grow well in Zone 5a, hardy in USDA zones 4a through 10b. Zone 5a has a growing season of approximately 166 days, which is sufficient for Radicchio (60-80 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Radicchio in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, expect to harvest Radicchio from June 27 – August 1. Radicchio takes 60-80 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5a is around April 25, and the first fall frost is around October 8. This gives a growing season of approximately 166 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Radicchio?
Good companion plants for Radicchio include Carrots, Lettuce, Endive. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.