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When to Plant Crosne in Umatilla 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.

Umatilla County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 2,195 feet, Umatilla County receives approximately 14.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, 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.

Umatilla County, OR (Zone 6a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Umatilla County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Oct 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Sep 24 – Nov 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Oct 14 – Nov 25

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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,056 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,538 GDD — county provides 2,610 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Umatilla County, OR

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest September 10 Sep 10 โ€“ Oct 22

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 โ€”
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

180 days

Growing Tips for Umatilla 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 Umatilla County, OR?

Umatilla County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Umatilla County, OR?

Umatilla County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Umatilla County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.