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When to Plant Escarole in Lincoln County, WV

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, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 3,174 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season.

Lincoln County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Escarole needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,395 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, WV

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jul 9

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 Fall Sowing
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

194 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, WV?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, WV?

Lincoln County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

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, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.