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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Izard 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.

Izard County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 281 feet, Izard County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.

Izard County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Izard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 58 gal / 100 sq ft
Belgian Endive needs ~2,080 GDD — county provides 3,344 GDD Excellent fit

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Izard County, AR

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 6b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Izard 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 Izard County, AR?

Izard County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Izard County, AR?

Izard County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Izard County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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