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When to plant Endive in Morris County, KS

Plant Endive in Morris County after April 15; the prime window is April 1–April 22. A second sowing from August 11 to August 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Endive in Morris County, KS

Morris County, Kansas Zone 6b July

This month in Morris County, Kansas

A quick July briefing for Morris County, Kansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Collect endive at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Coming up in August — start thinking about
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Morris County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 535 feet, Morris County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Morris County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23

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 Morris County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Morris 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

4
successive plantings in your 188-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

Endive Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 293 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.9" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 2.9" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.3" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Morris 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 ~880 GDD — county provides 3,008 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline — Morris County, KS

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 8
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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
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

188 days in Morris County

Growing Tips for Endive in Morris County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after April 15 in Morris County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 188.0-day season in Morris 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 Morris County, KS?

Morris County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, KS?

Morris County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Endive in Morris County, KS?

In Morris County, KS, plant Endive after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Morris County, KS for Endive?

Morris 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 Morris County's climate?

Yes — Endive grows well in Morris County's temperate climate. Morris County averages a 188-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Morris County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morris 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 Morris County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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