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When to Plant Crosne in Whatcom County, WA

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.

Whatcom County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 386 feet, Whatcom County receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Whatcom County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Whatcom County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Crosne Planting Timeline — Whatcom County, WA

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 – Oct 26
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May
June
July
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

150–200 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Whatcom County

Growing Tips for Whatcom 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crosne in Whatcom County, WA?

Whatcom County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Whatcom County, WA?

Whatcom County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

🌱

Your Whatcom County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Whatcom 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 Whatcom County, WA. 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.