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When to Plant Cress in Comanche County, KS

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.

Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Comanche County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.

Comanche County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Comanche County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 2

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 777 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cress needs ~254 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Comanche County, KS

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

192 days

Growing Tips for Comanche 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 Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Comanche County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Comanche County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.