As July comes to an end, growers enter a crucial stage in planning autumn and winter production. For many Cicoria e Radicchio Tardivo varieties, this is the final opportunity to sow and ensure high-quality harvests during the colder months. Late varieties require long growing cycles and need sufficient vegetative development before low temperatures arrive. Delaying sowing beyond this period may compromise head formation and reduce the crop's productive potential. For this reason, the final days of July represent a strategic sowing window that should not be missed.
Why Choose a Cicoria Tardiva Variety?
Cicoria Tardiva varieties are highly valued for their ability to provide harvests throughout winter and into early spring, when the availability of fresh produce is naturally reduced. Their long growing cycles allow them to develop excellent quality characteristics, outstanding texture, and greater tolerance to adverse weather conditions. Within the Smarties.bio range, five varieties stand out as reliable choices for growers seeking quality, consistency, and late-season harvests: Vulcano, Acquerello, Scala, Carminio, and Casteo.
Vulcano: The Super-Tardivo di Chioggia
An extremely late variety requiring approximately 160 days to maturity, suitable for harvests in February and March. Vulcano is a vigorous, hardy plant with abundant foliage that naturally protects the head from cold weather. It produces dense, compact hearts with thick leaves and an intense red colour. Its robust, fleshy leaves ensure excellent field yields and outstanding performance during cold storage.
Acquerello: The Traditional Marzatico for March Harvests
Acquerello is considered the ancestor of today's Chioggia radicchios. This selection is distinguished by its exceptional lateness and hardiness, offering excellent resistance to cold temperatures and frost. It is specifically suited for late harvests in February and March.
Scala: The Verona Type for February Harvests
For growers who specialize in the Verona type, Scala is one of the best options for late production. This extra-late variety reaches maturity approximately 140 days to maturity and is intended for February harvests. The plant is vigorous, with large outer leaves that effectively protect it against cold and frost. It features the classic oval shape that perfectly reflects the Verona ideotype. Thanks to its thick leaves, Scala is suitable for both the fresh market and cold storage.
Carminio: An Treviso Precoce Type with a Late Production Cycle
Carminio is an extremely late variety requiring approximately 130 days to maturity, allowing harvests in January and February. The plant is vigorous and large, offering excellent cold tolerance and remarkable suitability for cold storage. Its fleshy leaves ensure high field yields, while the bright white ribs create an attractive contrast with the deep red foliage. Its position within the late-season segment enables growers to extend the harvesting calendar and maximize the productivity of fields dedicated to radicchio cultivation.
Casteo: The Extremely Tardivo di Castelfranco
Casteo is a late-maturing variety requiring 140 to 160 days to maturity, making it suitable for harvests from late January through February. It offers excellent uniformity in both the field and at harvest. The large plant develops abundant outer foliage that provides effective frost protection while promoting the formation of a naturally self-blanching head. Its excellent suitability for trimming reveals a creamy-white heart elegantly speckled with red. Casteo is ideal for both the fresh market and cold storage.
The Final Days to Plan Your Winter Crop
The Smarties.bio chicory and radicchio range covers crop cycles from 55 to 160 days to maturity, allowing growers to schedule harvests throughout the year. However, when it comes to late varieties such as Vulcano, Acquerello, Scala, Carminio, and Casteo, the end of July represents the last real opportunity to establish a successful winter production schedule. Growers aiming for successive harvests between December and March should therefore complete sowing within this period, making the most of the genetic potential of these late varieties and ensuring high-quality production even during the coldest months of the year.