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When to Plant Cress in Sherman 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.

Sherman County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 862 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cress successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Sherman County, OR (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – May 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – May 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 6

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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,095 gal / 100 sq ft
Cress needs ~293 GDD — county provides 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Cress Planting Timeline โ€” Sherman County, OR

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19

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 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

186 days

Growing Tips for Sherman 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 Sherman County, OR?

Sherman County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, OR?

Sherman County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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