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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Sevier 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.

Sevier County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 845 feet, Sevier County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.

Sevier County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Sevier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Belgian Endive needs ~2,178 GDD — county provides 3,785 GDD Excellent fit

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Sevier County, AR

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 7b

Growing Season

226 days

Growing Tips for Sevier 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 Sevier County, AR?

Sevier County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sevier County, AR?

Sevier County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sevier 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 Sevier County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.