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When to Plant Endive in Harrison 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.

Harrison County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 528 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Harrison County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 305 gal / 100 sq ft
Endive needs ~880 GDD — county provides 3,296 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, IN

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 1

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 Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Harrison 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 Harrison County, IN?

Harrison County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, IN?

Harrison County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Harrison County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Harrison County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.