Blog

When to Plant Cress in Grant 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.

Grant County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,483 feet, Grant County receives approximately 46.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.

Grant County, KY (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 7

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 ~254 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, KY

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 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
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 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, KY?

Grant County is in Zone 6a 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 Grant County, KY?

Grant County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Grant County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.