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When to Plant Endive in San Augustine County, TX

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.

San Augustine County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 146 feet, San Augustine County receives approximately 62.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Endive may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Endive will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Endive root diseases.

San Augustine County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

San Augustine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – May 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 24

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 San Augustine County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.6) overlaps with Endive's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in San Augustine County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Endive will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Endive.

How to Plant Endive

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 Endive

6
successive plantings in your 256-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” 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 โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 6.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 10.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 8.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 2.3" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in San Augustine County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 needs ~1,210 GDD — county provides 5,632 GDD Excellent fit

Endive Planting Timeline โ€” San Augustine County, TX

Endive Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

256 days in San Augustine County

Growing Tips for Endive in San Augustine County

Direct sow Endive outdoors after March 05 in San Augustine County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in San Augustine County dries quickly โ€” mulch Endive with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96ยฐF in San Augustine County, provide afternoon shade for Endive and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 256.0-day season in San Augustine County allows multiple plantings of Endive. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

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

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Endive in San Augustine County, TX?

San Augustine County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Endive planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Augustine County, TX?

San Augustine County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 San Augustine County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.