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When to Plant Endive in Greene County, AR

Endive is a leafy green with a slightly bitter flavor, available in curly (frisee) and broad-leaved (escarole) types. It adds texture and complexity to salads.

Greene County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Greene County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Endive root diseases.

Greene County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Greene County

How your county's soil matches Endive's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.5) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Greene County is excellent for Endive โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Endive.

How to Plant Endive

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Endive

5
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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

Monthly Watering Guide for Endive

Endive needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Endive Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 6.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Greene County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Endive Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Endive needs ~1,045 GDD — county provides 4,180 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, AR

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 19
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7

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 Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

220 days in Greene County

Growing Tips for Endive in Greene County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after March 27 in Greene County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 220.0-day season in Greene County allows multiple plantings of Endive. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Endive in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Sow seeds directly in spring or fall. Blanch heads by tying outer leaves together 2-3 weeks before harvest to reduce bitterness. Keep soil evenly moist.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Endive in Greene County, AR?

Greene County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, AR?

Greene County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Greene County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.