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When to Plant Crosne in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 287 days.

At an elevation of 286 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 64.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Crosne may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Crosne root diseases.

Jackson County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
287 days
Last Spring Frost February 21
287 growing days
First Fall Frost December 5

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 17

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.

Soil Compatibility in Jackson County

How your county's soil matches Crosne's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Crosne's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Jackson County is excellent for Crosne โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Crosne.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Crosne.

How to Plant Crosne

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 929 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Crosne

Crosne needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Crosne Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Jackson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Crosne Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Crosne needs ~4,769 GDD — county provides 7,848 GDD Excellent fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, TX

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 21
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Sep 5
Fall Sowing October 10 Oct 10 โ€“ Oct 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

150โ€“200 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

287 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Crosne in Jackson County

Direct sow Crosne outdoors after February 21 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 103ยฐF in Jackson County, provide afternoon shade for Crosne and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crosne in Jackson County, TX?

Jackson County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 21. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, TX?

Jackson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 21 and first fall frost is December 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Jackson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.