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When to Plant Endive in Vanderburgh 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.

Vanderburgh County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 901 feet, Vanderburgh County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Vanderburgh County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Vanderburgh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14

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 382 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Endive needs ~839 GDD — county provides 3,126 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Vanderburgh County, IN

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 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 30

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 โ€”
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

205 days

Growing Tips for Vanderburgh 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 Vanderburgh County, IN?

Vanderburgh County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Vanderburgh County, IN?

Vanderburgh County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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