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When to Plant Crosne in Kendall 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.

Kendall County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 2,187 feet, Kendall County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Kendall County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Kendall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Nov 10

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 Kendall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.4) overlaps with Crosne's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Crosne.

How to Plant Crosne

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 237 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~3,719 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Kendall County, TX

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Sep 28

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 Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

150โ€“200 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

256 days in Kendall County

Growing Tips for Crosne in Kendall County

Direct sow Crosne outdoors after March 09 in Kendall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crosne in Kendall County, TX?

Kendall County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kendall County, TX?

Kendall County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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