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When to Plant Escarole in Dunn County, ND

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.

Dunn County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 944 feet, Dunn County receives approximately 22.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Escarole to ensure they mature before fall.

Dunn County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Dunn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Escarole

Escarole needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Escarole Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Dunn County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Dunn County, ND

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Aug 6
Fall Sowing July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Jul 15

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

132 days in Dunn County

Growing Tips for Dunn 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Escarole in Dunn County, ND?

Dunn County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dunn County, ND?

Dunn County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Dunn County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.