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When to Plant Crosne in Logan County, CO

Crosne (Chinese artichoke) produces small, segmented white tubers with a crunchy texture and mild artichoke-nutty flavor. They are a rare delicacy in French cuisine.

Logan County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 6,511 feet, Logan County receives approximately 14.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Crosne to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Crosne successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Logan County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Oct 3 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Oct 12 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Oct 22 – Nov 5

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 902 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Crosne needs ~2,144 GDD — county provides 1,800 GDD May not mature

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Logan County, CO

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest September 28 Sep 28 โ€“ Oct 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

150โ€“200 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

147 days

Growing Tips for Logan County

Plant tubers 3 inches deep in spring. Mark the location well as plants die back. Harvest in late fall after frost. Leave some tubers in ground for next year. Very labor-intensive to harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crosne in Logan County, CO?

Logan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, CO?

Logan County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Logan County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Logan County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.