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When to Plant Endive in Warren 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.

Warren County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 3,925 feet, Warren County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Endive root diseases.

Warren County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 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.

Soil Compatibility in Warren County

How your county's soil matches Endive's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.7) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Warren County is excellent for Endive โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Endive.

How to Plant Endive

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Endive

5
successive plantings in your 201-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Endive needs ~880 GDD — county provides 3,216 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, TN

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 3

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 Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

201 days in Warren County

Growing Tips for Endive in Warren County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after April 10 in Warren County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 201.0-day season in Warren County allows multiple plantings of Endive. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Endive in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Warren County, TN?

Warren County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, TN?

Warren County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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