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When to Plant Crosne in Fountain County, IN

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.

Fountain County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,088 feet, Fountain County receives approximately 30.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Fountain County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Fountain County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Sep 14 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Oct 5 – Oct 19

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 989 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,406 GDD — county provides 2,530 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Fountain County, IN

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Fountain 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 Fountain County, IN?

Fountain County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fountain County, IN?

Fountain County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fountain County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Fountain County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.