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When to Plant Crosne in Cass County, TX

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.

Cass County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 392 feet, Cass County receives approximately 71.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Crosne will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Crosne root diseases.

Cass County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 178 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~3,588 GDD — county provides 5,063 GDD Excellent fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, TX

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August 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

247 days

Growing Tips for Cass 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 Cass County, TX?

Cass County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, TX?

Cass County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cass 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 Cass County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.