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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Craig County, OK

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.

Craig County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 906 feet, Craig County receives approximately 25.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.

Craig County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Craig County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 850 gal / 100 sq ft
Belgian Endive needs ~2,178 GDD — county provides 3,400 GDD Excellent fit

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Craig County, OK

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Craig 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 Craig County, OK?

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

What planting zone is Craig County, OK?

Craig County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Craig County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Craig County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.