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When to Plant Cress in Asotin County, WA

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.

Asotin County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 2,029 feet, Asotin County receives approximately 14 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, 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.

Asotin County, WA (Zone 7a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
144 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Asotin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

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 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Cress Planting Timeline — Asotin County, WA

Cress Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest May 23 May 23 – Jun 13
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 – Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing
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

144 days in Asotin County

Growing Tips for Asotin 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 Asotin County, WA?

Asotin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Cress planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Asotin County, WA?

Asotin County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Asotin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Asotin 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Asotin County, WA. 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.