When to Plant Endive in Davison County, SD
May to-do list for Davison County, South Dakota
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Davison County, South Dakota this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Plant out endive
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
Get ahead of June
- Starting indoors: endive
- First harvests: endive
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.
Davison County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.
At an elevation of 551 feet, Davison County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Endive to ensure they mature before fall.
Davison County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Davison County
How your county's soil matches Endive's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.5) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Davison County is excellent for Endive — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Endive.
How to Plant Endive
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Endive
Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 28.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Endive
Endive needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Endive Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Davison County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Endive 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.
Endive Planting Timeline — Davison County, SD
Endive Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 9 |
| Harvest | June 20 | Jun 20 – Jul 25 |
| Fall Sowing | July 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
45–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
157 days in Davison County
Growing Tips for Endive in Davison County
Direct sow Endive outdoors after May 02 in Davison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Endive in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Endive in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Endive in Davison County, SD?
Davison County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Davison County, SD?
Davison County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Davison County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Davison County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.