Blog

When to plant Endive in Diggins, MO

Diggins's climate puts the Endive spring window between March 28 and April 18. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 13 to August 27 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Endive in Diggins, MO

Webster County, Missouri Zone 6b August

This month in Webster County, Missouri

Your garden in Webster County, Missouri is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 83°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Plant your fall garden: endive

    Your first frost is about 10 weeks away — plenty of time for these to mature.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Diggins, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,274 feet, Webster County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.

Diggins, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Diggins Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16

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 Diggins

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) is within Endive's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Endive.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Endive Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Webster 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 3,249 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline — Diggins, MO

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest May 30 May 30 – Jul 4
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 – Aug 27

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 Harvest
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Endive in Diggins

Direct sow Endive outdoors after April 11 in Webster County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 194.0-day season in Webster 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 Diggins, MO?

In Diggins, MO, plant Endive after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Diggins, MO for Endive?

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

Can Endive grow in Diggins's climate?

Yes — Endive grows well in Diggins's temperate climate. Diggins averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Webster 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Webster County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.