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When to Plant Crosne in Crawford County, KS

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.

Crawford County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 813 feet, Crawford County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Crawford County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Crawford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 22 – Nov 3

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 525 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~3,062 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Crawford County, KS

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Oct 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Crawford 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 Crawford County, KS?

Crawford County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crawford County, KS?

Crawford County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crawford County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Crawford County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.