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When to Plant Endive in Allen County, IN

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.

Allen County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 721 feet, Allen County receives approximately 38.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Allen County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Allen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 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
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 639 gal / 100 sq ft
Endive needs ~756 GDD — county provides 2,461 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Allen County, IN

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Allen County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Endive in Allen County, IN?

Allen County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Allen County, IN?

Allen County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Allen County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Allen County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.