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When to plant Endive in Printer,

In Printer, plant Endive in spring between April 7 and April 28, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Printer's last frost averages April 21, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between August 12 and August 26 — roughly 65 days before the first frost on October 21.

When to Plant Endive in Printer, KY

Printer, KY Zone 7a June

Your June game plan for Printer, KY

Here's what deserves your attention in Printer, KY this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 21
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Harvest endive as they ripen

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Printer, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 2,218 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Endive root diseases.

Printer, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Printer Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3

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 Printer

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.1) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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 183-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Endive Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Floyd 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 ~921 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline — Printer, KY

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 – Jul 14
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Floyd County

Growing Tips for Endive in Printer

Direct sow Endive outdoors after April 21 in Floyd County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 183.0-day season in Floyd 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 Printer, ?

In Printer, , plant Endive after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Printer, for Endive?

Printer sits in USDA Zone 7a. Endive grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Endive grow in Printer's climate?

Yes — Endive grows well in Printer's temperate climate. Printer averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Floyd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Floyd 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 Floyd County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.