Blog

When to Plant Endive in Trempealeau County, WI

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.

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Trempealeau County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Endive to ensure they mature before fall.

Trempealeau County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Trempealeau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 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.

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 ~591 GDD — county provides 1,483 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Trempealeau County, WI

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 7

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 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 4b

Growing Season

138 days

Growing Tips for Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Trempealeau County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Trempealeau County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.