When to Plant Belgian Endive in Montgomery 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.
Montgomery County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.
At an elevation of 633 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Belgian Endive during the growing season.
Montgomery County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Belgian Endive Planting Timeline — Montgomery County, OH
Belgian Endive Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Direct Sow | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 |
| Harvest | August 9 | Aug 9 – Oct 4 |
| Fall Sowing | August 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | 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
185 days in Montgomery County
Growing Tips for Montgomery 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
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Belgian Endive in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Belgian Endive in Montgomery County, OH?
Montgomery County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Montgomery County, OH?
Montgomery County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 21.
Your Montgomery County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Montgomery 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.