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When to Plant Endive in Garden County, NE

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.

Garden County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 966 feet, Garden County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Endive to ensure they mature before fall.

Garden County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Garden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Timeline — Garden County, NE

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 – May 18
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Aug 3
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 – Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

146 days in Garden County

Growing Tips for Garden County

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 Garden County, NE?

Garden County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garden County, NE?

Garden County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.

🌱

Your Garden County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Garden 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 Garden County, NE. 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.