When to Plant Endive in Hampton, VA
Your June game plan for Hampton City, Virginia
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Hampton City, Virginia.
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It's harvest week for endive
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
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.
Hampton, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.
At an elevation of 299 feet, Hampton City receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Endive during the growing season.
Hampton Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Endive 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 Hampton
How your county's soil matches Endive's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) is within Endive's preferred range (5.5–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Hampton City is excellent for Endive — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 Sep 14 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 09.
Endive 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 | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 2.9" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 2.7" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hampton City). 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 — Hampton, VA
Endive Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 12 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Direct Sow | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 26 |
| Harvest | May 7 | May 7 – Jun 11 |
| Fall Sowing | September 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
244 days in Hampton City
Growing Tips for Endive in Hampton
Direct sow Endive outdoors after March 19 in Hampton City when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 244.0-day season in Hampton City 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Endive in Other Locations
Your Hampton City Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Hampton City (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.