Blog

When to Plant Escarole in Dundy County, NE

Escarole is a broad-leaved endive with slightly bitter, sturdy leaves. The outer leaves are more bitter while the blanched heart is tender and mild.

Dundy County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 994 feet, Dundy County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Escarole to ensure they mature before fall.

Dundy County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Dundy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Escarole Planting Timeline — Dundy County, NE

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 – Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Dundy County

Growing Tips for Dundy County

Direct sow in spring or late summer. Blanch heads by tying outer leaves together or covering with a pot for 2 weeks before harvest. Excellent braised or in soups.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Escarole in Dundy County, NE?

Dundy County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dundy County, NE?

Dundy County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Dundy County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dundy County (Zone 5b). 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 Dundy County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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