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When to Plant Escarole in Comanche County, KS

Escarole is a broad-leaved endive with slightly bitter, sturdy leaves. The outer leaves are more bitter while the blanched heart is tender and mild.

Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Comanche County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season.

Comanche County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Comanche County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21

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 Comanche County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.5) is more alkaline than Escarole prefers (5.5โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Escarole.

How to Plant Escarole

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 Escarole

4
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 777 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Escarole needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Comanche County, KS

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Comanche County

Growing Tips for Escarole in Comanche County

Direct sow Escarole outdoors after April 15 in Comanche County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

General growing tips

Direct sow in spring or late summer. Blanch heads by tying outer leaves together or covering with a pot for 2 weeks before harvest. Excellent braised or in soups.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Escarole in Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Comanche County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Comanche County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.