SEEDS- Italian Red Treviso Radicchio- and similar items

Italian Red Treviso Radicchio- Heirloom Classic Chicory Also known as Chicory, this classic Italian Radicchio grows upright in a columnar shape forming 25-35 cm (10-14") heads. Leaves start off green and then turn red contrasting beautifully against the white stripes and midribs as the weather cools. The tender, slightly bitter leaves are delicious in salads or saut?ed with other vegetables. Heirloom -60-80 days This heirloom radicchio is a beloved variety in Italy. In summer, the long, upright 10?14" heads begin green; once cooler weather comes around, the leaves transition to sensuous deep-red with white midribs and veins. The tender, ever so slightly bitter leaves and heart are delicious raw, in salads, or cooked by braising or sauteing with other vegetables. For those who were raised on iceberg lettuce, biting into the leaves can be a bit of a surprise. But in other parts of the world, it?s appreciated for its complex, herbal, and ? yes ? bitter flavor. ================ Radicchio hasn?t gotten its due in North American- that?s because of its distinctly bitter flavor. For those who were raised on iceberg lettuce, biting into the leaves can be a bit of a surprise. But in other parts of the world, it?s appreciated for its complex, herbal, and ? yes ? bitter flavor. If you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 4 or above, growing radicchio can be done. You can feel clever serving up freshly harvested radicchio while the snow is falling outside. Also known as Italian chicory, radicchio (pronounced rah-DEEK-ee-oh) is a cultivated variety of the wild chicory plant, Cichorium intybus. This plant is actually a biennial, but it?s often treated as an annual and harvested in its first year of growth. Left to its own devices, it will bloom in its second year, go to seed, and die. Propagation Radicchio can be grown from seed. Most varieties will do best with eight inches of space between plants, and 12 inches between rows. Spacing adequately is important because it encourages proper airflow, an important preventive measure that can help to prevent disease. You may sow seeds in the ground in the spring, three to four weeks before the average last frost date in your area. If you choose to plant in the fall instead, your goal is to sow the seeds so they will mature about four weeks after the first frost. Most cultivars mature in an average of five to six weeks, and seeds will typically germinate in about a week. Not every seed is going to germinate, so plant a few seeds 1/4 inch deep in each spot, and then thin them out as they start to mature. If you wish to start your seeds indoors, put a few seeds in each cell of a seed starting tray filled with a soilless seed starting medium, and plant them to a depth of about 1/4 inch. Keep the planting medium moist until they sprout, and then thin them so the strongest seedling in each cell remains. Put transplants in the ground in the spring right around the time of the last average frost date in your region. A surprise frost won?t hurt them. For a fall planting, check your seed packet to determine the time to maturity for your chosen cultivar, and aim for a harvest date that is about a month after the last frost date. If you?ve started your own seedlings indoors, be sure to harden them off for a week or so before planting them out in their permanent spot. When you?re ready to put them in the ground, dig a hole slightly larger than the container each seedling was growing in, and put them in the prepared soil. How to Grow These leafy plants need full sun or partial shade to grow best. If you live in a warmer climate, ensure they have partial shade during the hottest part of the day. As they grow, some types turn from green to red, while others start out red, and some stay green. This can be impacted by the amount of sun they are exposed to. The most important thing to know is that heat is radicchio?s enemy. When air temperatures climb above 75F, chances are high that your plant will bolt, or growth will be stunted. On the other hand, temps below freezing all the way down to 20F won?t hurt your crops. That?s why most people grow theirs in the fall or spring. But if you live somewhere that stays cool all summer, such as the Pacific Northwest, you can grow these plants all season long if you choose varieties that are a bit more heat tolerant. Radicchio also needs moist soil. If you let your plants dry out, they?ll turn bitter, they may bolt, and growth could be slowed. Radicchio can tolerate a range of soil types, but loamy, fertile earth is best. Water retention and good drainage are key. If you don?t have the right kind of soil naturally, amend your soil with compost or sand. =s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s=s==s=s=s=s=s=s=s= Free shipping to Canada- and USA Selected seeds only See other items in our shop https://www.ebay.ca/usr/okiger- Shipping of Seeds and Cuttings: Orders are shipped via Canada Post Mail unless otherwise specified. Some items are shipped without tracking to keep costs low. This is the most economical option. Canada Post is incredibly reliable, but can be slow. If you require tracking or a faster delivery please message before ordering. We try to ship any live plants on MONDAYS or TUESDAYS as a precautionary measure to avoid delays over the weekend and ensure the viability of live plant orders. Weather may be a contributing factor in the processing of our orders and will occasionally cause some delay. We will ship seeds anywhere in the world, however, please make sure you check with your country's customs office to be sure that they are allowed in. 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