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When to Plant Crosne in Jackson County, MN

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.

Jackson County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 1,042 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 37.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Crosne to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Oct 1 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Oct 15 – Oct 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 10 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~1,750 GDD — county provides 1,590 GDD Tight fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, MN

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest September 24 Sep 24 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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, MN?

Jackson County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, MN?

Jackson County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Jackson County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.