When to Plant Chicory and Radicchio in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 22:55 yesterday, not a model.
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Chicory and Radicchio guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to Jun
- Days to harvest
- about 9 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 5.0–7.0
Chicory and radicchio are the same species, Cichorium intybus. Radicchio forms red and white heads. Chicory is grown for its leaves, or its roots are forced to make blanched witloof. Both are cool season crops.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar S
- Apr S/T
- May S/T
- Jun T
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Chicory and Radicchio included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Chicory and Radicchio in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Rich soil with compost, well rotted manure or worm castings (Succeed Heirlooms).
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 5.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun or light shade (Succeed Heirlooms).
- Spacing
- 30cm apart
- Watering
- Water deeply and regularly. Mulch well to keep roots cool and hold moisture (Succeed Heirlooms).
- Good companions
- Lettuce, Onion, Carrot, Radish, Dill
- Grow before it
- Legumes (Beans - Dwarf, Peas, Broad Beans)
- Grow after it
- Fruiting crops (Tomato, Capsicum, Zucchini)
Give the bed 3 turns before leafy greens go back in. Leaf crops want the nitrogen the legumes left behind.
Subtropical Growing Tips for Chicory and Radicchio
Recommended Varieties
- Palla Rossa
- Giorgione
Key Challenges
- Warm spells and bolting
- Snails and slugs
Pro Tips
- Choose a bolt resistant variety
- Water deeply and regularly
Pests and problems for Chicory and Radicchio in Subtropical
Harvesting Chicory and Radicchio
When ready: The central head is ready 9 to 13 weeks after sowing, when it is about the size of a grapefruit (Succeed Heirlooms).
How to harvest: Pick outer leaves once large enough, or cut the whole head (Succeed Heirlooms).
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Chicory and Radicchio
When do you plant chicory and radicchio in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to Jun
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Jun
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to May, Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to May, Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan to May, Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): May to Jul
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to May, Dec
Can you grow chicory and radicchio all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to Jun. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Chicory and Radicchio in Brisbane?
Gardenate lists March to June for subtropical areas, and Succeed Heirlooms lists March to June for radicchio. Start in trays or plant out seedlings.
What soil temperature do Chicory and Radicchio need?
Chicory and Radicchio germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 20°C.
How do I know when Chicory and Radicchio are ready to harvest?
The central head is ready 9 to 13 weeks after sowing, when it is about the size of a grapefruit (Succeed Heirlooms).
What are the best Chicory and Radicchio varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Palla Rossa, Giorgione.
What grows well with Chicory and Radicchio?
Good companion plants for Chicory and Radicchio include: Lettuce, Onion, Carrot, Radish, Dill.
Are chicory and radicchio salt tolerant?
Only a little. Chicory and radicchio are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.