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When to Plant Crosne in Erath 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.

Erath County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 1,968 feet, Erath County receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Crosne, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Crosne root diseases.

Erath County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Erath County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Sep 16 – Nov 18

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Crosne needs ~3,325 GDD — county provides 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Erath County, TX

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Oct 14

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 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 7b

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Erath 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 Erath County, TX?

Erath County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Erath County, TX?

Erath County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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