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When to Plant Crosne in Wichita 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.

Wichita County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 823 feet, Wichita County receives approximately 26.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Wichita County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Wichita County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 22 – Nov 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Sep 28 – Nov 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Oct 13 – Nov 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,130 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Crosne needs ~2,669 GDD — county provides 2,562 GDD Tight fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Wichita County, KS

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Oct 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 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

168 days

Growing Tips for Wichita 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 Wichita County, KS?

Wichita County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wichita County, KS?

Wichita County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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