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When to Plant Endive in Kingman County, KS

Kingman County, Kansas Zone 7a May

This month in Kingman County, Kansas

Your Kingman County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Get endive seeds going inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: endive

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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.

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 746 feet, Kingman County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Kingman County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24
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Kingman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 19

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 Kingman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Endive prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Endive will thrive.

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

5
successive plantings in your 193-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Plant 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 496 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 2.9" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 1.2" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Kingman 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 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline — Kingman County, KS

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 – Jul 7
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Kingman County

Growing Tips for Endive in Kingman County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after April 14 in Kingman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 193.0-day season in Kingman 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 Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Kingman County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kingman 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.

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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 Kingman County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.