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When to Plant Crosne in Obion County, TN

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.

Obion County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,431 feet, Obion County receives approximately 44.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Obion County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Obion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Nov 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Sep 20 – Nov 22

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 212 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,931 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Obion County, TN

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Oct 22

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 7a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Obion 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 Obion County, TN?

Obion County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Obion County, TN?

Obion County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Obion County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Obion County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.