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When to Plant Crosne in Lake 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.

Lake County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 1,236 feet, Lake County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Crosne successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lake County, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 16
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 7

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Nov 3 – Nov 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Nov 17 – Dec 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Nov 27 – Dec 11

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 260 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,800 GDD — county provides 1,328 GDD May not mature

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, OR

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 23
Fall Sowing June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Jul 13
Harvest November 3 Nov 3 โ€“ Nov 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

83 days

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, OR?

Lake County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 16. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, OR?

Lake County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lake County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Lake County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.