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When to Plant Cardoon in Tillman County, OK

Cardoon is a large thistle relative of the artichoke, grown for its edible leaf stalks. It has dramatic silvery foliage and makes a striking ornamental as well.

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Tillman County receives approximately 25.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Cardoon during the growing season.

Tillman County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Tillman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Cardoon Planting Timeline — Tillman County, OK

Cardoon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 – Oct 2

Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

120–150 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

217 days in Tillman County

Growing Tips for Tillman County

Blanch stalks by wrapping with cardboard or tying leaves together 3-4 weeks before harvest. Provide deep, rich soil and consistent moisture. Protect from hard frost.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cardoon in Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Cardoon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Tillman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Tillman County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Tillman County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.