Castelfranco

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Castelfranco to a garden.

Unfurl Castelfranco radicchio for a striking, sunlit crunch: tender, butter-yellow hearts haloed with crisp, rose-to-ruby fringing.

The flavor is pleasantly bittersweet and refined, with a delicate snap that holds beautifully from garden to platter. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant roasted or braised presentations, and also a standout for chicory-forward sauces and quick pickling.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Castelfranco Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 18th	Aug 1st – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Jul 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Jul 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Jul 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Jul 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jul 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jun 27th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jun 17th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	Jun 8th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	May 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	May 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	Apr 18th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Castelfranco radicchio is built for eating crisp: the pale inner heart stays tender while the fringed outer leaves deliver a clean bittersweet snap. Handle it gently—dress quickly or heat briefly—so the bitterness mellows without turning the texture silky or tired.

Best Uses

shaved or halved salad with a light vinaigrette
quick braise/roast to mellow bitterness while keeping leaf integrity
chicory-forward sauce base or emulsified salad topper
short pickling for a bright, crunchy bite

Flavor Profile

pleasant bittersweet edge tender butter-yellow heart rose-to-ruby crisp snap

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar Parmigiano-Reggiano walnuts aged goat cheese olive oil lemon zest

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease commonly affects Cichorium intybus (Castelfranco) in cool, wet weather, and how can I prevent it?

Castelfranco chicory (Cichorium intybus) is prone to crown rot and leaf rots (often worsened by poor drainage and dense, constantly damp foliage). Plant in well-drained soil, space plants to keep leaves from staying wet, and water at the soil line rather than overhead. If you see rotting at the crown or slimy leaves, remove the affected plants immediately to reduce spread and let the bed dry slightly between waterings.

How often should I water Castelfranco during its main growth phase so heads develop properly?

During active growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil to about 2–3 inches deep. In most home gardens this means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, windy periods. If the top 1 inch dries out, water thoroughly; if the soil stays soggy after watering, reduce frequency to prevent rot at the crown.

How do I know when Cichorium intybus (Castelfranco) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at around 75 days from sowing when the plants form tight, compact heads (small, dense rosettes) with pale inner leaves. Heads should feel firm rather than loose, and outer leaves should be healthy and fully developed. For best quality, harvest before the plants bolt or the center starts to elongate and loosen.