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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Hocking County, OH

Belgian endive is produced by forcing chicory roots in darkness to create tight, pale, torpedo-shaped heads called chicons. They have a mild bitterness and elegant crunch.

Hocking County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 1,354 feet, Hocking County receives approximately 37.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.

Hocking County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Hocking County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline — Hocking County, OH

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 – Oct 8
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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
June
July
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

110–150 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

181 days in Hocking County

Growing Tips for Hocking County

Grow chicory roots in the garden during summer, then dig in fall. Trim tops and force roots in moist sand in a dark cellar at 50-60F. Chicons emerge in 3-4 weeks.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Belgian Endive in Hocking County, OH?

Hocking County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hocking County, OH?

Hocking County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

🌱

Your Hocking County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hocking County (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 Hocking County, OH. 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.