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When to plant Radicchio in Forsyth County County,

For Radicchio in Forsyth County County, the safe spring window opens around March 8 and closes around March 29. Last expected frost is March 22, first fall frost November 13, giving a 236-day growing season. A second sowing from September 4 to September 18 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Radicchio in Forsyth County, GA

Forsyth County, Georgia Zone 8a June

This month in Forsyth County, Georgia

A quick June briefing for Forsyth County, Georgia gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Collect radicchio at their peak

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

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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.

Forsyth County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 59 feet, Forsyth County receives approximately 57.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Radicchio during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Radicchio, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radicchio root diseases.

Forsyth County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13
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Forsyth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Radicchio Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 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.

Soil Compatibility in Forsyth County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) overlaps with Radicchio's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Forsyth County is excellent for Radicchio — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Radicchio.

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

4
successive plantings in your 236-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 04.

Radicchio Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Forsyth County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~1,172 GDD — county provides 3,953 GDD Excellent fit

Radicchio Planting Timeline — Forsyth County, GA

Radicchio Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jun 28
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 – Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

236 days in Forsyth County

Growing Tips for Radicchio in Forsyth County

Direct sow Radicchio outdoors after March 22 in Forsyth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Forsyth County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Radicchio. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Forsyth County, GA?

Forsyth County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Radicchio planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Forsyth County, GA?

Forsyth County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 13.

When should I plant Radicchio in Forsyth County, ?

In Forsyth County, , plant Radicchio after the last frost (around March 22) and before the first frost (around November 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Forsyth County, for Radicchio?

Forsyth County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Radicchio grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Radicchio grow in Forsyth County's climate?

Yes — Radicchio grows well in Forsyth County's temperate climate. Forsyth County averages a 236-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 22 and first frost around November 13.

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Your Forsyth County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Forsyth County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Forsyth County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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