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When to Plant Radicchio in Gillespie County, TX

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.

Gillespie County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 3,036 feet, Gillespie County receives approximately 65.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Radicchio during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radicchio root diseases.

Gillespie County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Gillespie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Radicchio Planting Timeline — Gillespie County, TX

Radicchio Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 26
Harvest May 21 May 21 – Jun 25
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

240 days in Gillespie County

Growing Tips for Gillespie 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 Gillespie County, TX?

Gillespie County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Radicchio planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gillespie County, TX?

Gillespie County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Gillespie County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gillespie County (Zone 8b). 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 Gillespie County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.