"Growing Watercress"
Watercress is one of the few herbs you can grow that really does like to be waterlogged. Traditionally grown in streams of running water, watercress can often be found growing wild, although care should be taken when collecting from the wild. The water source could be contaminated with animal droppings or agricultural chemicals which may not affect the taste of the plant but it will affect its properties and can cause illness.
 Watercress has been used as a medicinal and culinary herb for over two thousand years and has been considered to be a ‘super food’ for almost as long. Watercress became a commercial product in the early 19th century. By the early 20th century watercress had developed into large business with London being the heart of the watercress trading world. For many years it has been used to encourage growth in children and keep soldiers strong and prepared for battle. As the herb contains, gram for gram, as much vitamin C as oranges, as much calcium as milk, and also vast quantities of potassium and iron, the folklore about watercress being a super food is very likely to be true. There are so many minerals and vitamins in watercress, that eating a bunch a day would probably cancel any need for vitamin supplements. The herb originated in Europe and Asia but is now grown widely in many countries.
  Growing watercress:
It has, until recently, been thought impossible to grow watercress without a pure spring water source. However, watercress can be grown in an old paddling pool if conditions are good. If you do happen to have a pure spring water source though, so much the better. Growing watercress from seed: If you want to grow cress in a regular vegetable bed, you will need to buy seeds of a land cress variety. Check on the packet for manufacturer’s growing instructions before you buy. There are a number of ways to get cress going and seed is readily available from garden suppliers. Watercress isn’t a true water plant as the plant grows above water and has only its roots beneath the surface. Seed can be sown in a seed tray of very moist compost but the tray or pot should be well drained and watered regularly. The seed won’t germinate in dry conditions, or in stagnant water. ........................................... Thompson & Morgan are award winning global seed supplier and watercress seeds are available from their website....
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If watercress gets well established in your garden, it can become invasive, but harvesting regularly should help overcome this. If left to grow, watercress can grow to about 1 metre in length, but shoots are normally cut at around 8 inches or so. Plants can be placed in a clean and cool garden pond. The pond must be cleaned regularly or have a running water source pumped through it. Watercress will also survive on the banks of a stream if moist enough. It is also not a particular sun lover and will do well in very cool water and partial shade. Watercress can also be grown at home in an old paddling pool, full of soil. Make sure the pool is well drained and watered regularly. Containers must be well drained so that the water doesn’t become stagnant. Watercress ideally thrives in pure spring water. (For more information about garden ponds, pop over to this page...Garden Ponds )
Growing watercress From cuttings: If you buy your watercress from your greengrocer in bunches, they will sometimes take root. Place a few healthy stems in a glass of water and change the water often. Many of the cuttings will develop roots which can be planted out later. Or beg a few plants or cuttings from a local grower. Never let the roots dry out, keep the water clean and you should be able to produce a steady crop of this wonderful plant all year round. In the winter months watercress is coarser but can be added to soups and stews, instead of eaten raw in salads. Harvest watercress often and cut stems that are straggly. When you cut watercress, the roots develop more shoots and the plants become stronger so don’t forget to use it. Read the growing recommendations on seed packets before you buy as this is a plant that requires out of the ordinary cultivation techniques, and you may have to choose a specific variety for your region and available space.
 Watercress can be stored in a glass of water in a cold place, preferably a fridge for a couple of days. Place cut end down in an inch or two of fresh cold water. As watercress will often produce fresh shoots all year round, it’s not usually necessary to store it. Medicinal reasons for growing watercress: Watercress has been used to treat many illnesses and medical conditions, too numerable to mention. Because of its very high vitamin and mineral content, including folic acid, which is relatively scarce in plant life, watercress is a natural tonic and will help the body to repair itself. Eating a couple of handfuls of watercress everyday will give the immune system a boost and help stave off colds and flu.
Happy Gardening! The above text about growing watercress is an extract from my book about Herb Gardening... Herb Gardening: Herbs are becoming recognised more and more as superfoods, as if we didn't know that really! 'Herb Gardening' has been beautifully put together by the publisher (Crowood Press) into a well presented book with full colour photos.
 Along with the growing instructions for forty different herbs, there are lots of great ideas, including culinary delights and medicinal alternatives. You'll also find gardening advice as well as some ideas on planning a herb garden. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herb Gardening Back To Garden Herbs Page Back To Flower and Garden Tips Homepage Click here to subscribe to "Creative Gardening" - Your FREE monthly ezine! http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/growingwatercress.html |
