Upland Cress in Zone 11a & 11b
Barbarea verna
When to plant upland cress in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b 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 | Dec 25–Jan 1 '27 |
| Estimated harvest | Feb 13 '27–Feb 20 '27 (~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 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Upland Cress.
Where to buy upland cress seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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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 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Upland Cress in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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