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When to Plant Cress in Bibb 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.

Bibb County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 218 feet, Bibb County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Bibb County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Bibb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Mar 25 – Apr 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Apr 26
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 ~359 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Bibb County, GA

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26

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 8a

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Bibb 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 Bibb County, GA?

Bibb County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bibb County, GA?

Bibb County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bibb County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Bibb County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.