When to Plant Cress in Adair County, OK
Your May planting checklist for Adair County, Oklahoma
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Adair County, Oklahoma.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: cress
These need a head start before your last frost (April 7). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Pick cress
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
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.
Adair County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.
At an elevation of 486 feet, Adair County receives approximately 33.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.
Adair County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Adair County
How your county's soil matches Cress's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.1) overlaps with Cress's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Adair County is excellent for Cress — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Cress will thrive.
How to Plant Cress
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cress
Sow every 1.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 06 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Cress
Cress needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Cress Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Adair County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Cress Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Cress Planting Timeline — Adair County, OK
Cress Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Direct Sow | March 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 14 |
| Harvest | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 12 |
| Fall Sowing | August 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 2" apart · Rows 6" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
14–21 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
203 days in Adair County
Growing Tips for Cress in Adair County
Direct sow Cress outdoors after April 07 in Adair County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 203.0-day season in Adair County allows multiple plantings of Cress. Sow every 7.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Cress in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cress in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cress in Adair County, OK?
Adair County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Adair County, OK?
Adair County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 27.
Your Adair County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Adair County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.