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When to Plant Cress in Owsley 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.

Owsley County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,434 feet, Owsley County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.

Owsley County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Owsley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 13

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 ~280 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Owsley County, KY

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Owsley 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 Owsley County, KY?

Owsley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owsley County, KY?

Owsley County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Owsley 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 Owsley County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.