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When to Plant Endive in Eddy County, NM

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.

Eddy County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,690 feet, Eddy County receives approximately 11.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Endive will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Endive successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Eddy County, NM (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Eddy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13

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
0.2″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,372 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Endive needs ~1,045 GDD — county provides 3,971 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Eddy County, NM

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 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
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 7b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Eddy 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 Eddy County, NM?

Eddy County is in Zone 7b 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 Eddy County, NM?

Eddy County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Eddy County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.