Escarole (Endive) in Zone 6a & 6b

Cichorium endivia

When to plant escarole (endive) in zone 6b

Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Escarole (Endive) tolerates either.

Start indoorsMar 28–Apr 4
Direct sow / transplant outsideApr 11–Apr 18
Estimated harvestJul 5–Jul 12 (~85 days after planting)

Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.

Escarole (Endive)
Photo: Rudolphous via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.

Escarole and endive are frilly-to-broad-leaved chicory relatives that head up right in the garden and are eaten as a slightly bitter salad green, distinct from the Belgian endive already covered on this site, which is dug and forced in total darkness instead.

How escarole (endive) fits zone 6's season

Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Escarole (Endive) needs about 85 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Escarole (Endive).

Where to buy escarole seeds

See why we recommend these suppliers →

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.

See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing escarole (endive)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Escarole (Endive) in USDA zone 6b

Pin this for later

Growing Escarole (Endive) in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

Save to Pinterest