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When to Plant Escarole in Pleasants 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.

Pleasants County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 2,235 feet, Pleasants County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season.

Pleasants County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Pleasants County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 7

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 ~825 GDD — county provides 2,392 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Pleasants County, WV

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 21

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 6a

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Pleasants 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 Pleasants County, WV?

Pleasants County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pleasants County, WV?

Pleasants County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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