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When to Plant Cress in Grant County, OR

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, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 96 days.

At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Grant County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cress to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
96 days
Last Spring Frost June 6
96 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Jul 31

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
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 266 gal / 100 sq ft
Cress needs ~214 GDD — county provides 1,176 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, OR

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 20
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Fall Sowing July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

96 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, OR?

Grant County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OR?

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Grant County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.