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When to Plant Crosne in Randall 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.

Randall County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,230 feet, Randall County receives approximately 57.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Crosne may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Randall County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Randall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Sep 14 – Nov 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Sep 16 – Nov 18
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Oct 1 – Dec 3

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
1.3″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 100 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Crosne needs ~3,719 GDD — county provides 4,080 GDD Good fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Randall County, TX

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Nov 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Randall 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 Randall County, TX?

Randall County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randall County, TX?

Randall County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Randall County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.