When to plant watercress in Texas
Texas spans USDA zones 7a–10a, so the right time to plant watercress shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about December 25 in Edinburg to April 7 in Dumas — below are local dates for 267 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 9b | February 2 | December 25 | January 19 – February 16 |
| San Antonio | 9a | February 25 | November 28 | February 11 – March 11 |
| Dallas | 8b | March 2 | November 29 | February 16 – March 16 |
| Austin | 9a | February 20 | December 3 | February 6 – March 6 |
| Fort Worth | 8b | March 5 | November 24 | February 19 – March 19 |
| El Paso | 8b | March 2 | November 20 | February 16 – March 16 |
| Arlington | 8b | March 9 | November 21 | February 23 – March 23 |
| Corpus Christi | 10a | January 22 | January 4 | January 8 – February 5 |
Watercress in Texas: FAQ
When can I plant watercress in Texas?
Across Texas, the time to direct-sow watercress spans roughly December 25 in Edinburg to April 7 in Dumas, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the watercress planting date vary across Texas?
Yes. Texas publishes 267 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 Texas?
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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