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When to Plant Endive in Susquehanna 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.

Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,094 feet, Susquehanna County receives approximately 49.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Susquehanna County, PA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Susquehanna County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Endive needs ~756 GDD — county provides 2,310 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Susquehanna County, PA

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 24

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 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 5a

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna County, PA?

Susquehanna County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Susquehanna County, PA?

Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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