Blog

When to Plant Cress in Yakutat City and Borough, AK

Garden cress is one of the fastest-growing edibles, producing peppery sprouts in as little as two weeks. It is excellent for microgreens and garnishes.

Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.

At an elevation of 246 feet, Yakutat City and Borough receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 66ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cress to ensure they mature before fall.

Yakutat City and Borough, AK (Zone 6b) Short season
128 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
128 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Yakutat City and Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 6

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cress needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Yakutat City and Borough, AK

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Harvest
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

14โ€“21 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

128 days

Growing Tips for Yakutat City and Borough

Sow seeds thickly on moist soil or paper towels. Keep moist and harvest when 2-3 inches tall. Succession sow every few days for continuous supply. Grows well indoors year-round.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cress in Yakutat City and Borough, AK?

Yakutat City and Borough is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yakutat City and Borough, AK?

Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Yakutat City and Borough gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Yakutat City and Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.