Blog

When to Plant Escarole in Frio County, TX

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.

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 273 days.

At an elevation of 3,892 feet, Frio County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Escarole root diseases.

Frio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
273 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
273 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Frio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Escarole Planting Timeline — Frio County, TX

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 26
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 – May 21
Fall Sowing October 1 Oct 1 – Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

273 days in Frio County

Growing Tips for Frio County

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 Frio County, TX?

Frio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frio County, TX?

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 26.

🌱

Your Frio County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Frio County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Frio County, TX. 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.