Curled Cress
Curled Cress
Garden Curled Cress with small dark green curled leaves has a spicy flavor. The seeds germinate in 10 days, and the sprouts add a piquant spicy flavor to sandwiches and salads. As a member of the mustard family, Curled Cress is used for various medicinal and culinary purposes.Curled Cress, native to the Middle East, where it has been grown since about 400 BC. It is consumed sprouted, and fresh or dried pods produce a spicy seasoning, formerly known as "poor man's pepper." In England, sliced watercress sprouts are used in a traditional sandwich consisting of boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and salt. In addition, Сurled Cress seeds are often added to curries or meat dishes to enhance the flavor as a seasoning similar to mustard and pepper. Curled Cress contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, iodine, phosphorus, and sulfur. Expectant mothers should avoid using excessive amounts of leaves.
How to grow Curled Cress from seeds:
- Sowing: Curled Cress is undemanding and can grow almost anywhere but grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shаde. Grow it in the spring or fall to keep the leaves from being bitter from the heat. Sow seeds directly аfter the last spring frost or late summer 1/4″ in rows 6″ apart, thinning to 3-6″ when germinating. If you plan on harvesting small watercress, the plants can be spaced 2-3″ apart. To harvest consistently, sow seeds every 10 days. Watercress also grows well as an indoor container plant.
- Plant Spacing: 3-6″.
- Growing of Curled Cress: Protect the plant from weeds and provide good maintenance, including adequate moisture. Be careful with the shallow roots of the watercress to avoid damaging them and removing weeds. A lаyer of mulch can help keep moisture and control weeds.
- Curled Cress Soil Requirements for: Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Curled Cress Seeds Days to Germination: 14-21 days.
- Light Preference of Curled Cress: Full Sun.
- Life Cycle of Curled Cress: Annual.
- How and When to Harvest Curled Cress: Watercress can be harvested as a microgreen or mature plant up to 6 inches tall. Leave some of the stems above ground level to allow new leaves to grow. Leaves should only be used fresh, as they do not dry or freeze well.
- Curled Cress Days to Maturity: up to 55 days.
- Curled Cress Seed Saving: The seeds can be easily harvested. After flowering, the flowers will begin to wilt, and seed pods will develop. For free seeds, most of the pods should be ripe to a light brown color. When the pods are mature, they open up and drop seeds, so observe them. Spread out the pods in a sheltered place, away from direct sunlight, so that they dry thoroughly, then thresh the seeds. Stоre in a cool, dry place for 2-3 years.
FAST FACTS:
- Common Names: Garden Cress, Garden Pepper Cress, Pepperwort, Pepper Grass, Poor Man's Pepper
- Latin Name: Lepidium sativum
- Species Origin: Western Asia
- Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Cool Season
- Life Cycle: Annual
- USDА Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Seeds per Ounce: 20,000
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Height:9 Inches
- Color: Green
- Uses: Culinary
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