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When to Plant Belgian Endive in Andrews County, TX

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.

Andrews County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 1,776 feet, Andrews County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Belgian Endive may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Belgian Endive will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Belgian Endive root diseases.

Andrews County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Andrews County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Belgian Endive Planting Timeline — Andrews County, TX

Belgian Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 – Sep 13
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 – Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Andrews County

Growing Tips for Andrews 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 Andrews County, TX?

Andrews County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Belgian Endive planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Andrews County, TX?

Andrews County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 7.

🌱

Your Andrews County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Andrews County (Zone 8a). 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 Andrews County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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