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When to Plant Escarole in Mineral County, NV

Mineral County, Nevada Zone 7a May

This month in Mineral County, Nevada

Each item below is timed to Mineral County, Nevada's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 28
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 46°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: escarole
  • First harvests: escarole

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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.

Mineral County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 5,832 feet, Mineral County receives approximately 14.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Escarole may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Escarole will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Escarole successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Mineral County, NV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Mineral County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 26 Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Sep 22

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 Mineral County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2–8.2) is more alkaline than Escarole prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Escarole.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Escarole.

How to Plant Escarole

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 Escarole

3
successive plantings in your 165-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,627 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Escarole

Escarole needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Escarole Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Mineral County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Escarole 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.

Escarole needs ~1,500 GDD — county provides 4,125 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline — Mineral County, NV

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Jul 21
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 – Aug 15

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 Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Mineral County

Growing Tips for Escarole in Mineral County

Direct sow Escarole outdoors after April 28 in Mineral County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Mineral County dries quickly — mulch Escarole with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Mineral County, provide afternoon shade for Escarole and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Escarole in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Mineral County receives only 15" of rain annually. Escarole needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Mineral County, NV?

Mineral County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mineral County, NV?

Mineral County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Mineral County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Mineral County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Mineral County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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