Upland Cress in Zone 10a & 10b
Barbarea verna
When to plant upland cress in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Upland Cress doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 23–Jan 30 |
| Estimated harvest | Mar 14–Mar 21 (~50 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-8 in.

Upland cress delivers watercress's peppery flavor without watercress's constant-moisture growing requirements, since it grows in ordinary garden soil rather than needing a bog-like bed or running water.
How upland cress fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Upland Cress needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Upland Cress.
Where to buy upland cress seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing upland cress" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Pin this for later
Growing Upland Cress in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest