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When to Plant Escarole in Armstrong County, PA

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.

Armstrong County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 213 feet, Armstrong County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season.

Armstrong County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Armstrong County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 12

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
Escarole needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,494 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Armstrong County, PA

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Armstrong 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 Armstrong County, PA?

Armstrong County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Armstrong County, PA?

Armstrong County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Armstrong County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Armstrong County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.