When to Plant Cress in Hawkins County, TN
Your May planting checklist for Hawkins County, Tennessee
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Hawkins County, Tennessee this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Begin indoor sowing: cress
You're about 22 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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Start harvesting 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.
Hawkins County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.
At an elevation of 1,961 feet, Hawkins County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Cress during the growing season.
Hawkins County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-7.1
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 Hawkins County
How your county's soil matches Cress's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–7.1) overlaps with Cress's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Hawkins County is excellent for Cress — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Cress.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cress.
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 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hawkins 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 — Hawkins County, TN
Cress Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Direct Sow | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 |
| Harvest | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 2" apart · Rows 6" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| 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
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
14–21 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
190 days in Hawkins County
Growing Tips for Cress in Hawkins County
Direct sow Cress outdoors after April 15 in Hawkins County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 190.0-day season in Hawkins 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 Hawkins County, TN?
Hawkins County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hawkins County, TN?
Hawkins County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.
Your Hawkins County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hawkins 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.