When to plant watercress in Kansas
Kansas spans USDA zones 6a–7a, so the right time to plant watercress shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 21 in Kansas City to April 14 in Garden City — below are local dates for 35 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 7a | April 11 | October 29 | March 28 – April 25 |
| Overland Park | 6b | April 10 | October 29 | March 27 – April 24 |
| Kansas City | 6b | April 4 | November 2 | March 21 – April 18 |
| Olathe | 6b | April 10 | October 29 | March 27 – April 24 |
| Topeka | 6b | April 16 | October 22 | April 2 – April 30 |
| Lawrence | 6b | April 12 | October 28 | March 29 – April 26 |
| Shawnee | 6b | April 16 | October 22 | April 2 – April 30 |
| Lenexa | 6b | April 10 | October 29 | March 27 – April 24 |
Watercress in Kansas: FAQ
When can I plant watercress in Kansas?
Across Kansas, the time to direct-sow watercress spans roughly March 21 in Kansas City to April 14 in Garden City, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the watercress planting date vary across Kansas?
Yes. Kansas publishes 35 cities with their own frost dates, so the right watercress planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does watercress take to grow in Kansas?
Watercress takes about 45–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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