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When to Plant Crosne in Mason 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.

Mason County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. 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 4,557 feet, Mason County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Mason County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Mason County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 807 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~3,194 GDD — county provides 4,215 GDD Excellent fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Mason 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 8a

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Mason 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 Mason County, TX?

Mason County is in Zone 8a 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 Mason County, TX?

Mason County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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