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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Grant County, AR

Belgian endive is produced by forcing chicory roots in darkness to create tight, pale, torpedo-shaped heads called chicons. They have a mild bitterness and elegant crunch.

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 498 feet, Grant County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Belgian Endive root diseases.

Grant County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 187 gal / 100 sq ft
Belgian Endive needs ~2,665 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, AR

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Sep 4

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

110โ€“150 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Grant County

Grow chicory roots in the garden during summer, then dig in fall. Trim tops and force roots in moist sand in a dark cellar at 50-60F. Chicons emerge in 3-4 weeks.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Belgian Endive in Grant County, AR?

Grant County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, AR?

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Grant County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.