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When to Plant Escarole in Lincoln County, KY

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.

Lincoln County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 2,190 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season.

Lincoln County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 22

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Escarole needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,447 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, KY

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 5

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 โ€”
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

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln County

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 Lincoln County, KY?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, KY?

Lincoln County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Lincoln County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.