When to plant radicchio in Albuquerque, New Mexico

April 6 – April 20

Transplant outdoors · typical Albuquerque year

Climate basis: NOAA station Albuquerque INTL AP, NM (USW00023050), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Albuquerque (ZCTA 87102 centroid), elevation 5310 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant radicchio outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 6). One year in ten still freezes after April 23.

Last spring freezeApril 61-in-10 after Apr 23

First fall freezeNovember 31-in-10 before Oct 21

Frost-free season≈ 208 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 17 – Nov 15kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Albuquerque year

Transplant outdoorsApr 6 – Apr 20

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 9 – Mar 16

Fall plantingAug 5 – Aug 19

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 23

Radicchio in Albuquerque · freeze context from Albuquerque INTL AP, NM, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Transplant outdoors

Apr 6 – Apr 20

USU places transplants near the last frost-free date, a point rule that is encoded as a 14-day planting span beginning at the last-freeze anchor. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 6). Utah State University Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 9 – Mar 16

USU states seeded radicchio may go in 3-4 weeks before the last frost-free date, and because the source gives an explicit range it is encoded directly as -28 to -21 days rather than expanded to a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 6). Utah State University Extension

Fall planting

Aug 5 – Aug 19

UMN sows the fall crop about three months before the average first fall frost, taken as a -90 day point and encoded as a 14-day span; USU's fall guidance is not combined here because it is anchored to an anticipated maturity date rather than stated directly against the frost date. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 3). University of Minnesota Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

No frost-anchored indoor-start window is published, because UMN gives indoor sowing as Minnesota calendar dates ('early April', and July for fall crops) rather than against a freeze date, and the alternative lead time it offers is measured from the transplant date rather than from an anchor, while USU states only that 5-6 weeks are generally required to grow transplants to set-out size.

Variety assumption: UMN gives radicchio about 60 to 70 days to mature, and USU advises selecting early-maturing cultivars for fall plantings.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

Utah State University Extension: How to Grow Chicory in Your Garden (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Seeded radicchio may be planted 3-4 weeks before the last frost-free date for the growing area."
University of Minnesota Extension: Growing lettuce, endive and radicchio in home gardens (accessed 2026-07-25)
"For a fall crop, sow seed about three months before the average first fall frost date."

Keep exploring

This crop, other cities

Related crops in Albuquerque

Local overview