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When to Plant Escarole in Kewaunee County, WI

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.

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 950 feet, Kewaunee County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Escarole to ensure they mature before fall.

Kewaunee County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Kewaunee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Escarole needs ~690 GDD — county provides 1,851 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline โ€” Kewaunee County, WI

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 2
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 26

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing 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 4b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee County, WI?

Kewaunee County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kewaunee County, WI?

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kewaunee County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Kewaunee County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.