Tardivo Di Treviso

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp as a cool morning breeze, Tardivo Di Treviso forms elegant, elongated heads with a luminous, honeyed glow—tender leaves that unfold in tight layers and melt into a pleasantly sweet, gently bitter finish.

Expect a satiny crunch and a refined, aromatic bite that shines in late-season radicchio displays. Grow for fresh salads, braising-style tenderness, and striking roasted or grilled plates, where its color and texture become the centerpiece.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Tardivo Di Treviso

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	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tardivo di Treviso brings a cool-weather bitterness that stays elegant rather than harsh, with a satiny snap that survives hot contact when you cook it in wedges. It’s a radicchio you want front and center—dress with fat and salt, add something tangy like balsamic, and let the honeyed-sweet start fade into that clean bitter finish.

Best Uses

late-season shaved salad with a light, oily vinaigrette
grilled or roasted wedges so the edges char while the core stays crisp-tender
braise/steam until it turns supple, then dress with a sharp, creamy element
hot-and-cold radicchio plates where bitterness gets tempered by fat and salt

Flavor Profile

satiny crunch with tight, tender layers gentle honeyed sweetness on the front pleasantly bitter finish with a refined, aromatic bite

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar Parmigiano-Reggiano butter or browned butter walnuts goat cheese anchovies

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cichorium intybus (Tardivo di Treviso) and how can I manage it at home?

Look for aphids and slugs during establishment; aphids cluster on tender growth and can stunt plants, while slugs chew holes near the crown. Spray affected plants with a strong jet of water to knock off aphids, then use insecticidal soap if infestations persist, and hand-pick or bait slugs at dusk and keep the area weed-free around crowns. In humid weather, watch for foliar fungal issues like leaf spot—remove badly affected leaves and water at soil level to avoid wet foliage.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Tardivo di Treviso (Cichorium intybus) and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

Keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy from sprouting through head formation so roots stay active for the ~75-day crop. Water about 1–2 times per week depending on rainfall, increasing to more frequent, lighter watering during hot spells; stop short of waterlogging, which encourages crown and root problems. A simple check: if the soil feels dry at finger depth, water, and if water pools or the soil stays wet, hold off.

How can I tell when my Tardivo di Treviso (Cichorium intybus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and fully formed at roughly 75 days from sowing, with a tight, compact structure typical of radicchio-style chicory. During harvest timing, the plant should look mature—outer leaves are less actively growing and the head is dense rather than loose or elongated. For best eating quality, harvest before severe cold weather and once the heads feel solid when gently squeezed.