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When to Plant Crosne in Osage 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.

Osage County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 504 feet, Osage County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Osage County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Osage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Sep 7 – Oct 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 13 – Oct 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 27 – Nov 8

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 683 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,931 GDD — county provides 3,283 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Osage County, KS

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Oct 11

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

196 days

Growing Tips for Osage 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 Osage County, KS?

Osage County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Osage County, KS?

Osage County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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