When to Plant Radicchio in Dunn County, ND
Top priorities for Dunn County, North Dakota gardeners in May
Your Dunn County, North Dakota garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Move radicchio from tray to bed
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
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Plant radicchio from seed, right in the garden
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Dunn County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.
At an elevation of 944 feet, Dunn County receives approximately 22.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Radicchio to ensure they mature before fall.
Dunn County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Dunn County
How your county's soil matches Radicchio's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.5) overlaps with Radicchio's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Dunn County is excellent for Radicchio — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Radicchio.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Radicchio will thrive.
How to Plant Radicchio
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Radicchio
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 01.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 2.5" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3" | 1.5" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3" | 1.9" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.6" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 1.9" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Dunn 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 Planting Timeline — Dunn County, ND
Radicchio Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 14 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Direct Sow | May 7 | May 7 – May 28 |
| Harvest | July 16 | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Fall Sowing | July 1 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4a
📆 Growing Season
132 days in Dunn County
Growing Tips for Radicchio in Dunn County
Direct sow Radicchio outdoors after May 14 in Dunn 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Radicchio in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Radicchio in Dunn County, ND?
Dunn County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Radicchio planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Dunn County, ND?
Dunn County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 23.
Your Dunn County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Dunn County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.