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When to Plant Crosne in Douglas County, OR

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.

Douglas County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 377 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Crosne root diseases.

Douglas County, OR (Zone 8a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 31
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Nov 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Oct 1 – Dec 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~3,062 GDD — county provides 3,762 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Douglas County, OR

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Oct 24

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 Fall Sowing 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 8a

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Douglas 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 Douglas County, OR?

Douglas County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, OR?

Douglas County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Douglas County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Douglas County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.