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When to Plant Escarole in Wood 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.

Wood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.

At an elevation of 15 feet, Wood County receives approximately 65.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Escarole during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Escarole will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Escarole root diseases.

Wood County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
249 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
249 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Wood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Escarole Planting Timeline — Wood County, TX

Escarole Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 19
Harvest May 7 May 7 – Jun 4
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

📆 Growing Season

249 days in Wood County

Growing Tips for Wood 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 Wood County, TX?

Wood County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Escarole planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wood County, TX?

Wood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Wood County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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