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When to Plant Cress in Camden 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.

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Cress may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cress will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cress root diseases.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (263 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Feb 17 – Mar 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (260 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Feb 28 – Mar 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (253 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – Apr 16

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cress needs ~464 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, GA

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 โ€“ Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Direct Sow January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 14
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25
Harvest February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
March Harvest
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

295 days

Growing Tips for Camden 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 Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.