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When to Plant Endive in Carroll County, TN

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.

Carroll County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 2,921 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Carroll County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12

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 327 gal / 100 sq ft
Endive needs ~921 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Carroll County, TN

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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 7a

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Carroll 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 Carroll County, TN?

Carroll County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, TN?

Carroll County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carroll County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Carroll County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.