How to Grow Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP

Wikimedia Commons

Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP

Cichorium intybus var. foliosum

vegetable

Rosso Tardivo di Treviso is a late-harvest radicchio variety from the Veneto region of Italy, prized for its deep burgundy leaves with white veining and distinctive elongated head shape. This Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) variety develops its characteristic color and slightly bitter, complex flavor through a specific forcing process after exposure to cold temperatures. It is a gourmet ingredient highly valued in Italian cuisine and by discerning gardeners.

When should you plant Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP timeline →

Example Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; light afternoon shade in hot climates

💧

Water: Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times weekly, increasing frequency during hot spells. Reduce watering slightly after first frost to trigger dormancy for forcing process.

📏

Spacing: 8-10 inches between plants; rows 18-24 inches apart inches

📅

Days to maturity: 75-90 days from transplant to first harvest; 120-150 days including forcing process

🌱

Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; transplant when 2-3 inches tall

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 5-8; requires cool fall/winter conditions for optimal development

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Get my Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP timeline →

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Delicate green cotyledons emerge; first true leaves appear as small, deeply lobed green foliage.

Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 inches tall.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops rosette of green, lobed leaves with prominent veining. Leaf color remains predominantly green during this phase.

Water consistently. Begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Monitor for pests. Remove any flower bolts that appear.

Pre-Harvest & Cold Conditioning

3-4 weeks

Leaves begin showing deep burgundy coloration in response to cool temperatures and shortened day length. Head becomes more compact and elongated.

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage color development. Allow plants to experience light frost (down to 28°F/-2°C). Water less frequently but maintain consistent moisture.

Forcing Process (Optional but Traditional)

2-4 weeks

Roots are dug and forced in darkness and cool, humid conditions (50-59°F/10-15°C), causing new tender, pale inner leaves to emerge while outer leaves blanch.

Harvest mature plants after frost. Place in sand or peat in dark, cool location with high humidity. Spray lightly with water 2-3 times weekly. New shoots emerge in 2-3 weeks.

Harvest-Ready

Ready for harvest; store 2-4 weeks in cool conditions

Head is firm, deeply colored in burgundy with distinctive white veining, elongated and compact. Flavor is fully developed with characteristic slightly bitter, complex taste.

Harvest by cutting at soil level or pulling entire plant. Handle gently to preserve leaves. Use immediately or store in cool conditions.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans Peas Carrots Beets Chard Lettuce Cabbage Onions

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Other Cichorium species that may cross-pollinate

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; use reflective mulches
and (Plutella xylostella)
Use row covers, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), or hand-pick larvae; maintain good sanitation
and
Beer traps, copper barriers, hand-picking at dawn/dusk; remove debris; encourage predatory beetles
Row covers on seedlings, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, reflective mulches
Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, sulfur dust, fungicidal sprays if severe

Uses

🍳

Gourmet salads and grilled preparation

Culinary

Rosso Tardivo is prized for its slightly bitter, complex flavor and crisp texture in fresh salads, particularly in traditional Veneto cuisine. It is also excellent grilled or roasted with olive oil, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, where heat mellows the bitterness. [source]

🍳

Italian pasta and risotto ingredient

Culinary

Finely chopped Rosso Tardivo is used in traditional northern Italian pasta dishes, risotto, and soups, adding distinctive color, flavor, and visual appeal. [source]

💊

Digestive and liver support

Medicinal

Radicchio contains inulin and other compounds traditionally used in herbal medicine to support digestive health and liver function. The plant's bitter principles are believed to stimulate digestive secretions. [source]

🏠

Natural food dye

Household

The deep burgundy pigments in Rosso Tardivo leaves can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and foods, offering sustainable coloring alternatives. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt and flower, Rosso Tardivo produces delicate blue flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden ecosystem health. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest after the first frost or when plants have been exposed to cold temperatures (below 45°F/7°C for several weeks). For traditional forcing, dig entire plants after frost, trim roots to 1-2 inches, and place upright in moist sand or peat in a dark, cool location (50-59°F/10-15°C). New tender shoots will emerge in 2-3 weeks. Cut shoots at soil level when 4-6 inches tall. For direct harvest without forcing, simply cut mature heads at the base when color is deep burgundy and head is firm. Best flavor occurs after exposure to frost.

Fun Facts

🌱 Rosso Tardivo di Treviso holds Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) status in the European Union, meaning it can only be called by this name if grown and processed in the Treviso province of Italy using traditional methods—a testament to its regional significance and cultural importance.
🌱 The distinctive forcing process used for authentic Rosso Tardivo was developed centuries ago by Venetian farmers who discovered that winter dormancy and forced regrowth in cool, dark conditions produced sweeter, more tender inner leaves while blanching the outer leaves to create the prized two-tone coloration.
🌱 The deep burgundy color develops only after exposure to frost; growers in cooler climates with natural winter conditions can achieve more vibrant coloration than those in warmer regions, making this variety particularly suited to cool-climate gardening.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Full Sun pH True Leaves

Shop Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Rosso Tardivo di Treviso IGP timeline →