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When to Plant Cress in Edmonson 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.

Edmonson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 2,639 feet, Edmonson County receives approximately 54.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cress root diseases.

Edmonson County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Edmonson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – May 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – May 29

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 ~306 GDD — county provides 3,552 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Edmonson County, KY

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors 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 6b

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Edmonson 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 Edmonson County, KY?

Edmonson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edmonson County, KY?

Edmonson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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