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When to Plant Crosne in Wells 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.

Wells County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,181 feet, Wells County receives approximately 30.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Wells County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Wells County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 26 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Oct 10 – Oct 24

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 900 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,669 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Tight fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Wells County, IN

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26

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 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

175 days

Growing Tips for Wells 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 Wells County, IN?

Wells County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wells County, IN?

Wells County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wells 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 Wells County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.