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When to Plant Endive in Knox 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.

Knox County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 723 feet, Knox County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Endive to ensure they mature before fall.

Knox County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Knox County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Timeline — Knox County, NE

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Jul 23
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 – Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Knox County

Growing Tips for Knox 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 Knox County, NE?

Knox County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Knox County, NE?

Knox County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Knox County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Knox County (Zone 5a). 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 Knox 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.