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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Mayes 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.

Mayes County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 777 feet, Mayes County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.

Mayes County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Mayes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,339 gal / 100 sq ft
Belgian Endive needs ~2,568 GDD — county provides 3,969 GDD Excellent fit

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Mayes County, OK

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Sep 24

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

201 days

Growing Tips for Mayes 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 Mayes County, OK?

Mayes County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mayes County, OK?

Mayes County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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