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When to Plant Endive in Colchester, NS

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.

Colchester, Nova Scotia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 118 feet, Colchester receives approximately 35.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Endive to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Endive will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Colchester, NS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Colchester Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Endive Planting Timeline — Colchester, NS

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 – Jul 6
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July 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 6b

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Colchester

Growing Tips for Colchester

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 Colchester, NS?

Colchester is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Colchester, NS?

Colchester, Nova Scotia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Colchester Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Colchester (Zone 6b). 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 Colchester, NS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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