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When to Plant Crosne in Zavala 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.

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 4,905 feet, Zavala County receives approximately 59.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Crosne root diseases.

Zavala County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Zavala 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 (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 26

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 234 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~3,456 GDD — county provides 5,470 GDD Excellent fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Zavala County, TX

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Mar 5
Fall Sowing September 20 Sep 20 โ€“ Oct 4
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 17

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 Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Zavala 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 Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Zavala County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Zavala County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.