Chicory Castelfranco

What Chicory Castelfranco is

Chicory Castelfranco (Cichorium intybus) is a perennial vegetable of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). A wonderfully decorative chicory with green leaves marked in red, forming an inner loose head in red and white in autumn.

An ancient variety, developed in the 18 century in the Castelfranco area of Northern Italy. One of the best for nutritional quality.

Not only an indispensable new flavour in a salad, but the beautiful variegated inner leaves form a decorative garnish.

Chicory is a food rich in vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, which helps regulate blood pressure and fight hypertension.

The plant is a powerful antioxidant.

Chicory (radicchio, sugarloaf chicory) is a crunchy, bittersweet salad for autumn and winter.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 86%
• Seeds per packet: 612–828 pcs (1 g)
• Seed origin: Italy
• Sowing: May – July; direct
• Harvest: August – December
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Chicory Castelfranco

Chicory Castelfranco seeds are sown in May – July. Harvest in August – December. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Chicory Castelfranco

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 25–30 cm
• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Annual leaf chicory is a great winter vegetable. Seedlings can be prepared in advance in March-April. It should only be sown from mid-June. Sowing depth is 0.5-1 cm, ideal germination temperature: +20-25°C. Germinates without complications in 7-14 days. Planting distance: 30-40 cm. Loves sunny to semi-shaded spots with permeable, humus-rich soil. 8-12 weeks after sowing the firm heads can be harvested. To improve the quality of the vegetable, it is important to water twice a week, up to four times depending on sun exposure and outside temperature.

Sow from May to July; thin in good time and water in drought.

Harvest and use

Pick the heads in autumn — frosts soften the bitterness.

Frequently asked questions

When should Chicory Castelfranco be sown?

The recommended sowing months are May – July. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 612–828 seeds, pack size 1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 86%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why is chicory bitter?

Bitterness is characteristic of the species; frosts and blanching soften it.