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When to plant Endive in Barton County, KS

Barton County's spring Endive window runs April 6 through April 27. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 7 to August 21 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Endive in Barton County, KS

Barton County, Kansas Zone 6b August

This month in Barton County, Kansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Barton County, Kansas this August and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 20
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Sow endive for an autumn harvest

    Count back from your first frost (October 16) — these need to mature before the cold arrives.

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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.

Barton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Barton County receives approximately 25.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Barton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Barton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – 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.

Soil Compatibility in Barton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.3) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Endive.

How to Plant Endive

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Endive

4
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 07.

Endive Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 176 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 1.6" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Barton 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 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline — Barton County, KS

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 27
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 – Jul 13
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 6b

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Barton County

Growing Tips for Endive in Barton County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after April 20 in Barton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 179.0-day season in Barton 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Endive in Barton County, KS?

Barton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barton County, KS?

Barton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Endive in Barton County, KS?

In Barton County, KS, plant Endive after the last frost (around April 20) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Barton County, KS for Endive?

Barton County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Endive grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Endive grow in Barton County's climate?

Yes — Endive grows well in Barton County's temperate climate. Barton County averages a 179-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 20 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Barton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Barton County (Zone 6b). 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 Barton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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