Crosne: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how do you plant crosnes?
Plant crosnes in spring when the ground has thawed and drained enough to be worked. Use fresh Stachys affinis tubers that are firm and free from rot. These are swollen underground stems, not seeds or carrot-like roots. They dry out quickly outside the soil: avoid leaving them exposed for long before planting and follow the storage instructions supplied with your tubers.
Choose a sunny position with loose, fertile, well-drained soil that retains some moisture. Remove weeds and large clods. Prepare holes approximately 40 cm apart and 8 to 10 cm deep. For this planting method, put three tubers in each hole, cover them and firm gently. Adapt these guides to the instructions supplied with your tubers. In a container, provide enough growing volume for underground development and drainage holes.
Water after planting to settle soil around the tubers, then adjust to actual moisture and rainfall. Keep the ground moist without standing water. Mark the planting positions so you do not disturb shoots before they emerge. Give the crop an identifiable area, as overlooked tubers can produce new growth in later years. Starting from tubers does not require transplanting stems pulled from an already established plant.
How to care for this plant
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Earth up plants
Once your Chinese artichokes are well developed, you can earth them up with a little loose soil around the bases. Keep leaves uncovered. This is optional; avoid waterlogged soil and deep root disturbance.
When and how do you harvest crosnes?
