Rossa Di Treviso Radicchio

Sowed these in mid July and had delicious bitter greens through the winter and spring. Still have one growing a year later, but it was a very mild winter. Mine never looked like the picture. In the hot weather they have open rosette large green leaves with thick burgundy veins. In the dead of the winter the heads are tight and tiny, and bright red without any green. The new sowing of one year old seed is germinating very poorly, but it’s also very hot right now. Will keep trying because I want them this winter too!

I like the challenge of a special veg, so even though these are difficult, they still get 5 stars. I had great success with this in Northern IL but now that I'm in PA I can't get the timing right. As I've said in other reviews, my season is wonky and my soil is poor. I tried this as an "early spring" crop in 2015 and they bolted. Our seasons go from "Dark, cold and wet" to "full-blast summer." So this year I tried them as a fall crop, which was better, but the days got short and the plants never seemed big enough to bother picking. The good news is they will survive the winter and by the time the weather gets too warm, they should be perfect for picking. If we can get good heads, they are delicious wedged and roasted with bree! There's a reason these babies are so expensive in the store, and that makes it all the more fun to try and get it right in my garden!

I started the seeds last week for transplant when the moon is still full. Found the perfect spot where after a month of full sun it slows and matures well in only bright light. I have 3 zones in my gardens being close to the ocean yet so far south bordering tropical conditions. This year I plan to try a section of bed that is cooler in temperature and darker due to a south block wall. In Dec. I'll be lining the north ceiling of greenhouse frame with a sun reflecting sheet to see if the change of light while still cool temps will change the quality and how. I use the leaves as appetizers filled with vegie, legume or shellfish mixtures like shrimp or crap. The small leaves that follow from root top adds to salads and quick soup toppings with nutrients and visual appeal. Thanks for the resource of seed and I will let some seed myself this year to save and experiment as well share if successful!