Grumolo

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Sink your fork into Grumolo’s crisp, cool-hearted crunch—its leaves form tight, upright heads with a vivid, wine-kissed red over pale, creamy ribs.

The flavor is pleasantly bittersweet and clean, with a tender snap that holds beautifully from garden to table. Ideal for fresh salads and quick roasting, Grumolo also shines in vibrant braises and tangy sauces where its distinctive radicchio character can take center stage.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Grumolo’s upright heads give you a tight, fork-holding crunch, and its clean bittersweetness needs acidity and salt to feel bright instead of harsh. Use it in quick heat—roast or char—so the ribs soften just enough to coat in fat and vinegar without collapsing.

Best Uses

shaved radicchio salad with a sharp vinaigrette and crunchy additions
quick roasting or broiling to intensify caramel edges without turning mushy
braises where it steams down but keeps structure—especially in tangy, tomato-forward sauces
charred wedges with hot dressing to cling to the rib structure

Flavor Profile

pleasant bittersweet bite clean, cool herbaceousness crisp, upright crunch with tender snap wine-kissed red leaf bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon balsamic vinegar olive oil pecorino romano anchovy walnuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cichorium intybus (Grumolo), and how can I control it?

Watch for aphids and slugs/snails, which can cluster on tender leaves and leave holes or sticky residue. Rinse aphids off with a strong jet of water and use insecticidal soap if they persist; for slugs and snails, hand-pick at dusk and use copper barriers or slug bait around beds. Also avoid overhead watering to reduce foliar issues like mildew and keep plants spaced for airflow.

How often should I water Grumolo (Cichorium intybus) during its main growth phase?

Keep the soil evenly moist from sowing until plants are well established, typically giving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week in moderate weather. Once heads form, water deeply only when the top 1–2 cm of soil dries out, because consistently wet soil can increase leaf disease. Aim to water at soil level to keep leaves dry.

How do I tell when Grumolo (Cichorium intybus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the leaves have formed a compact, tight “rosette/curd” typical of this type and the plant reaches about 45 days from sowing. The outer leaves should be sturdy and crisp rather than loose, and the center should feel filled out. If you’re unsure, harvest one test plant early and wait 3–5 days only if the center still looks sparse.