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When to Plant Cress in Nowata County, OK

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.

Nowata County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 839 feet, Nowata County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.

Nowata County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Nowata County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Nowata County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cress Planting Timeline — Nowata 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 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

14–21 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

201 days in Nowata County

Growing Tips for Nowata 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cress in Nowata County, OK?

Nowata County is in Zone 7a 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 Nowata County, OK?

Nowata County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 25.

🌱

Your Nowata County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nowata County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Nowata County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.