Start early transplants in the greenhouse. Set out hardened plants as soon as possible. Plants can be hardened by watering only enough to prevent wilting and by gradually reducing the temperature, starting about 14 days before transplanting. However, be watchful for bolting, which can be triggered by plant stress. Plants can be set by hand or by machine and are ready for harvest after about 6 weeks.
Fields can be direct-seeded as soon as the soil can be prepared.
Long days also trigger bolting of endive and escarole, as do any environmental stresses placed upon them. Examples of stresses are flooding and hot, dry weather. Varieties Endive Salad King Frisan Escarole Elisa Twinkle Lime and Fertilizer Muck Soils Maintain soil pH between 5.5-6.0. Consider liming on muck soils when the pH falls below 5.5. Apply all fertilizer in a broadcast application and disk in prior to planting.