When to Plant Belgian Endive in New London County, CT
New London County, Connecticut gardeners: here's your May plan
Each item below is timed to New London County, Connecticut's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Begin indoor sowing: belgian endive
Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.
Belgian endive is produced by forcing chicory roots in darkness to create tight, pale, torpedo-shaped heads called chicons. They have a mild bitterness and elegant crunch.
New London County, Connecticut is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
At an elevation of 766 feet, New London County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.
New London County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5-6.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 New London County
How your county's soil matches Belgian Endive's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.0–6.6) overlaps with Belgian Endive's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in New London County is excellent for Belgian Endive — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Belgian Endive.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Belgian Endive.
How to Plant Belgian Endive
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Belgian Endive
Belgian Endive needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Belgian Endive Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in New London County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Belgian 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.
Belgian Endive Planting Timeline — New London County, CT
Belgian Endive Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Direct Sow | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| Harvest | August 13 | Aug 13 – Oct 8 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
110–150 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
178 days in New London County
Growing Tips for Belgian Endive in New London County
Direct sow Belgian Endive outdoors after April 23 in New London County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Belgian Endive in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Grow chicory roots in the garden during summer, then dig in fall. Trim tops and force roots in moist sand in a dark cellar at 50-60F. Chicons emerge in 3-4 weeks.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Belgian Endive in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Belgian Endive in New London County, CT?
New London County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is New London County, CT?
New London County, Connecticut is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your New London County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for New London County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.