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When to Plant Escarole in Okmulgee County, OK

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma Zone 7b May

This month in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

Welcome to May in Zone 7b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 3
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for escarole

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 3). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Collect escarole at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 657 feet, Okmulgee County receives approximately 28.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season.

Okmulgee County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2
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Okmulgee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8

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 Okmulgee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Escarole prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Okmulgee County is excellent for Escarole — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Escarole will thrive.

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

5
successive plantings in your 213-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 979 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Okmulgee 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 ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,887 GDD Excellent fit

Escarole Planting Timeline — Okmulgee County, OK

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Jun 26
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 – Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

213 days in Okmulgee County

Growing Tips for Escarole in Okmulgee County

Direct sow Escarole outdoors after April 03 in Okmulgee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 Okmulgee County, OK?

Okmulgee County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Okmulgee County, OK?

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Okmulgee County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Okmulgee County (Zone 7b). 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 Okmulgee County, OK. 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.