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When to Plant Cress in Campbell County, KY

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.

Campbell County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 3,725 feet, Campbell County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.

Campbell County, KY (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Campbell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – May 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 12

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 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Campbell County, KY

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23

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
May Transplant Outdoors 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 6a

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Campbell 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 Campbell County, KY?

Campbell County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Campbell County, KY?

Campbell County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 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 Campbell County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Campbell County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.