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When to plant Endive in Isleton,

Aim to plant Endive in Isleton on or after January 22; the window stays open through February 12. Isleton's 293-day frost-free season gives you plenty of room for a spring and fall cycle. A second sowing from October 6 to October 20 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Endive in Isleton, CA

Isleton, CA Zone 9b June

Your June planting checklist for Isleton, CA

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost February 12
Avg. first frost December 1
Soil temp (4") 87°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs

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Endive is a leafy green with a slightly bitter flavor, available in curly (frisee) and broad-leaved (escarole) types. It adds texture and complexity to salads.

Isleton, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 12 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 263 feet, Sacramento County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Isleton, CA (Zone 9b) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 12
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1
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Isleton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (219 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 29 Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 16 – Apr 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (208 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 2 – May 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (174 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29

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.

Soil Compatibility in Isleton

How your county's soil matches Endive's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.1) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Sacramento County is excellent for Endive — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Endive.

How to Plant Endive

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Endive

7
successive plantings in your 292-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 06.

Endive Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 701 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Endive

Endive needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Endive Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 6.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 0.8" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3" 0.2" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3" 0" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3" 0" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3" 0.3" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3" 1.4" 1.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Sacramento County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Endive Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Endive needs ~962 GDD — county provides 5,127 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline — Isleton, CA

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 – Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Direct Sow January 22 Jan 22 – Feb 12
Harvest April 2 Apr 2 – May 7
Fall Sowing October 6 Oct 6 – Oct 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

292 days in Sacramento County

Growing Tips for Endive in Isleton

Direct sow Endive outdoors after February 12 in Sacramento County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 293.0-day season in Sacramento County allows multiple plantings of Endive. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Endive in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Sow seeds directly in spring or fall. Blanch heads by tying outer leaves together 2-3 weeks before harvest to reduce bitterness. Keep soil evenly moist.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Endive in Isleton, ?

In Isleton, , plant Endive after the last frost (around February 12) and before the first frost (around December 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Isleton, for Endive?

Isleton sits in USDA Zone 9b. Endive grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Endive grow in Isleton's climate?

Yes — Endive grows well in Isleton's temperate climate. Isleton averages a 293-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 12 and first frost around December 1.

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Your Sacramento County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sacramento County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Sacramento County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.