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When to Plant Cress in Troup 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.

Troup County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 489 feet, Troup County receives approximately 54.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, 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.

Troup County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Troup County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Apr 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – May 22

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cress needs ~280 GDD — county provides 3,536 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Troup County, GA

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1

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 Direct Sow Harvest
May Harvest
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

221 days

Growing Tips for Troup 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 Troup County, GA?

Troup County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Troup County, GA?

Troup County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Troup 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 Troup County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.