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When to Plant Endive in Lyon County, NV

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.

Lyon County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 4,379 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 17.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Endive may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Endive will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Endive successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lyon County, NV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Lyon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 29

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 Lyon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“8.2) is more alkaline than Endive prefers (5.5โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Lyon County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Endive will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Endive.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

3
successive plantings in your 151-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 701 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3" 0.4" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 3" 0.5" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3" 2.6" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.4" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3" 1.4" 1.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Lyon County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,416 GDD — county provides 3,888 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” Lyon County, NV

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 4
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

151 days in Lyon County

Growing Tips for Endive in Lyon County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after May 12 in Lyon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Lyon County dries quickly โ€” mulch Endive with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 101ยฐF in Lyon County, provide afternoon shade for Endive and water deeply in the morning.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Endive in Lyon County, NV?

Lyon County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lyon County, NV?

Lyon County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lyon County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Lyon County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.