By Stephen Albert
February 9, 2022
Source: Fresh Plaza Photo / Image Source: Unsplash,
Garden cress in the garden Garden cress also called broadleaf cress–and other cresses: curly cress and watercress–are quick-growing cool-weather vegetables. Cresses grow easily from seed and also can be propagated from stem pieces or cuttings. Cress will sprout on water-soaked paper towels or cotton.
Cress Quick Growing Tips
Sow cress in the garden early in spring, as early as 4 or 6 before the last frost, or grow cress indoors year-round.
Cress is quick growing from seed; it will be ready for harvest 15 to 20 days after sowing.
Sow successive crops until mid-summer. Sow cress again in early autumn for autumn and winter harvest.
Cress yield: Grow 1 plant of each cress per household member. Plant successive crops every 2 weeks for a
Types of Cress
Garden Cress
Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), also called broadleaf cress, has flat, bright green leaves to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. Garden cress, a biennial, is also called peppergrass, pepper cress, and mustard cress. Golden-leafed broadleaf cress is sometimes called Australian cress. Garden cress is an annual that thrives in damp soil.
Curly Cress
Curly cress (Barbarea vernapraecox), also called cresson, early winter cress, or Upland cress, has finely divided leaves resembling parsley or chervil atop thin, branching stems. Curly cress is dark green and is also called curled cress, curlicress, fine curled cress, moss curled cress, and extra-curled cress. Curly cress is a biennial that thrives in damp soil.
Watercress
Watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) is a trailing annual usually grown in water. Grow watercress indoors in a pot set in a tray of water or along the side of a stream or watercourse. Watercress is an annual which grows in soil in gently running water.
Where to Plant Cress
Plant cress in the shade or semi-shade.
Grow garden cress and curly cress in moist but well-drained sandy loam.
Grow watercress in a container of compost-rich, sandy soil submerged in running water.
Cress prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Cress seedlings
Cress Planting Time
Cresses are cool-weather annuals. Sow cress in the garden early in spring, as early as 4 or 6 before the last frost, or grow cress indoors year-round.
Cress will germinate in about 14 days at 45°F (7°C).
Garden cress is quick growing from seed; it will be ready for harvest 15 to 20 days after sowing.
Curly cress requires 40 to 50 days to reach maturity but harvest can begin 15 days after sowing.
Watercress requires 55 to 70 days to reach maturity but runner tips can be pinched off for use 15 to 20 days after sowing.
Sow cress every 10 days for a continuous harvest through midsummer.
Cress can become pungent and inedible in hot weather.
Plant cress in late summer for an autumn and winter harvest.
Planting and Spacing Cress
Sow garden cress and curly cress seed ¼ inch (6.5mm) deep; sow seed thickly in wide rows; thin successful seedlings to 6 inches (15cm) apart.
Space rows 18 to 24 inches (45-61cm) apart.
Sow successive crops every 10 to 14 days.
Grow watercress in submerged containers.
Pinch back cress to keep it manageable.
Water and Feeding Cress
Garden cress requires even moisture. Do not let roots dry out.
Grow watercress in gently running water.
Cress Companion Plants
Grow cress with bunching onions, chives, peppermint, spearmint, and wintergreen. Cress can be inter-planted with other small crops.
Cress Care
Keep the soil weed-free.
Avoid growing cress in direct sun.
Pinch cress back to promote new foliage.
Watercress growing in a window box
Container Growing Cress
Garden cress and curly can be grown in containers, pots, and boxes.
Sow seeds thickly; cress is not bothered by overcrowding.
Garden cress can be grown indoors on a windowsill. Use a container with good bottom drainage. Keep the soil moist.
Cress Pests and Diseases
Cress has no serious pest problems.
Cress has no serious disease problems.
Harvesting Cress
Cut or pinch out cress tips as needed, cut-and-come-again.
Begin cutting plants when they reach 3 to 4 inches (7-10cm) tall.
Plants cut back to ½ inch (12mm) will quickly regrow.
Cress is most tender at the early seed-leaf stage; harvest cress well before it matures. Sprouts can also be used fresh.
Storing Cress
Cress will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. Seeds can be sprouted.
About Types of Cress
Common name: Cress, garden cress, broadleaf cress, peppergrass, pepper cress, mustard cress. Botanical name: Lepidium sativum. Origin: Asia
Common name: Curly cress, cresson, early winter cress, Upland cress, curled cress, curlicress, fine curled cress, moss curled cress, extra-curled cress. Botanical name: Barbarea vernapraecox
Common name: Watercress. Botanical name: Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum
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