Radicchio Seeds3>
Useful gardening
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Grow radicchio for its health benefits as a source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, its unique bitter-sweet flavor and versatility in cooking, and its ability to provide fresh, colorful produce during the fall and winter months. The plant's beautiful red and white coloration is also a desirable aesthetic in the garden and on the plate, adding visual appeal to winter harvests.
Radicchio, commonly known as red chicory, adds color to your garden and dinner table. This vegetable is used widely in Italy, where at least 15 varieties are grown. Wine-red leaves have white ribs infused with tangy taste.
Radicchio is an Old World chicory, a frost-tolerant vegetable that grown much the same way as cabbage and is sometimes confused as cabbage as they both look much alike.
Heads are usually small, normally averaging a size between an orange and a grapefruit.
Cool weather sweetens leaf flavor.
Sowing/Growing Instructions
Radicchio is a cool season crop grown alongside broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. The radicchio is the bright purple head in the middle of this winter harvest.
Radicchio grows best during the cooler seasons,spring and fall. Set plants in the garden in early spring (as soon as soil can be worked). For a fall crop, tuck plants into soil in midsummer in colder zones and early fall in regions with mild winters. Radicchio grows best in full sun during cooler weather; in summer, plants benefit from afternoon shade. Established plants can withstand frost.
When planting, space plants 8 to 12 inches apart. If you know you like radicchio, you'll want to plant 5 to 6 plants per person. Mix plenty of organic matter into soil prior to planting time. Like lettuce, radicchio is shallow-rooted and benefits from consistent soil moisture, and organic matter helps to hold moisture in soil. Infrequent watering increases bitter flavor of leaves and also causes uneven growth. Irrigate plants deeply, providing roughly 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. The most critical watering period occurs 7 to 10 days before heads mature. Mulch soil around plants to retain moisture and limit weed growth.
TWT071 Red Verona
The Red Verona Radicchio chicory produces mini, red, cabbage-like heads! This variety is a great addition to any garden and can be harvested in the fall. The Red Verona Radicchio's leaves are tangy and sharp, so they should be used sparingly in green salads. They taste excellent steamed or grilled with meats.
Do not plant too early in spring or plants may bolt (go to seed). In early fall, cut off all leaves above the crown. New growth in cool weather produces the small, red, cabbage-like heads.
All seed packets listed on this page are in stock and ready to ship.