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When to Plant Endive in Potter County, PA

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.

Potter County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 156 feet, Potter County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Endive to ensure they mature before fall.

Potter County, PA (Zone 5a) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Potter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 23

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Endive needs ~715 GDD — county provides 1,833 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Potter County, PA

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Potter 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 Potter County, PA?

Potter County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Potter County, PA?

Potter County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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