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When to Plant Cress in Fulton 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.

Fulton County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 3,261 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 42.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.

Fulton County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
215 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Apr 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (180 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – May 21

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 399 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cress needs ~332 GDD — county provides 4,085 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, KY

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4

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 7a

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Fulton 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 Fulton County, KY?

Fulton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, KY?

Fulton County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Fulton County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.