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When to Plant Cress in Baldwin County, GA

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.

Baldwin County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 421 feet, Baldwin County receives approximately 59 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cress, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cress root diseases.

Baldwin County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Baldwin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – Apr 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 15

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cress needs ~319 GDD — county provides 4,197 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Baldwin County, GA

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Baldwin County

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 Baldwin County, GA?

Baldwin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baldwin County, GA?

Baldwin County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baldwin County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Baldwin County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.