Cress Watercress

A delightful salad plant either by itself or tossed with other salad ingredients and delicious with cheese sandwiches or with a cheese dip – it even makes superb cold soups. The dark green peppery flavoured leaves of Water Cress are rich in vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and iron. Although usually grown commercially in water it can be grown in the garden soil provided it is given plenty of water and will crop from early summer till around Christmas if protected with cloches etc. You can also grow it in a container stood in a saucer of water.

Sowing Info
Sow seeds in mid spring when the soil has warmed up in very shallow drills spread 7.5cm (3in) apart, and cover with a light covering of soil. As regular watering is necessary you may wish to have your drill at the bottom of a small trench approximately 8-10cm (3-4in) deep for easier watering.
To grow in a container, plant 3-4 to a 30cm (12in) tub or pot and stand in a container with about 2-3in of water, in the shade. Keep the water constantly topped up to this level.

Growing Info
Thin out the seedlings finally to 1cm (4in) apart and water regularly and copiously throughout the season.

Aftercare Info
Keep weed free and harvest once the plants have become well developed by trimming off tops of the shoots with sharp scissors. Dont cut too low down in order to allow the stems to produce side shoots.

Harvesting Period
July to March

Number of Seeds
500

Nasturtium officinale. True Watercress seeds produce a perennial cress that is rich in vitamins and has a delicious, distinctive taste for salads and vegetarian dishes. Little, dark-green leaves grow on crisp stems that come from thick, long roots. Direct-seed watercress about 5mm (1/4″) deep and 1cm (1/2″) apart, ideally in full sun near clear running water. Thin plants to 10cm (4″) and keep very well watered. Watercress does not thrive in acidic soil, so spread enough lime in the growing area to bring the pH as close to 7.0 as possible. Well finished compost is the other trick that will keep watercress growing rapidly. If you fail with watercress in your summer garden, try planting it beneath a cloche row cover for winter harvesting. The low light levels and cool temperatures seem to be ideal.