"Growing Watercress"
Watercress is one of the few herbs you can grow that really does like it's feet in water. 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 growing watercress had developed into large business with London UK 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, growing watercress in an old paddling pool is possible 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.... And if you're growing watercress in the US, try Amazon... ...........................................
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 (20cm) 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, and a water feature in your garden could accommodate these plants very well. (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 growing 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 (3-5cm) 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! Grow Your Own Winter Food: A good diet incorporating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is a must if you want to stay fit and healthy and keep the bugs at bay during the cold winter months. Growing your own winter food is just one way of ensuring you get the freshest, tastiest produce packed with goodness straight from the garden to the kitchen table. This easy-to-follow self-sufficiency book shows you how to grow your own fruit and vegetables for winter use and includes facts on each fruit, vegetable or herb as well as nutritional value, recipe ideas and storage suggestions.  Grow Your Own Winter Food is perfect for those with limited gardening experience, with gardens big or small who are looking to become more self-sufficient. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow Your Own Winter Food Grow It, Cook It!: Many crops, including herbs, can be produced in a relatively small space with a little pre-planning and organizing: in containers, on a balcony, and indoors. Herbs are perfect for enhancing the flavour of cooking, treating minor ailments, and preventing colds and flu. Your own back garden will not only produce the best food on the planet for you and your loved ones, it is also economical, environmentally friendly and more fun than shopping. Gardening is more than a hobby; it's a way of life. .  This book provides all the information you need to keep your family and friends healthy, fit and enjoying life to the full. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow It, Cook It! Grow Your Own Pharmacy: If, like me, you want to be able to eat the best food on the planet, grow your own!  • Clear instructions on planning, planting, growing and harvesting the fruits, vegetables and herbs required for a healthy vitamin intake. • Recipes and menus to help incorporate the fruit and vegetables into your daily diet. Grow Your Own Pharmacy Herbs and Spices: Some herbs grow vigorously, some are tender and need special growing conditions, some are annuals, some perennials, some you can grow indoors, all can be grown in pots or directly into the ground. There are also certain spices, such as chillies, that can be grown in temperate climates. ("There's more about growing watercress in this wonderful little book!")  This clear and concise directory of herbs and spices provides all the essential information to help you grow a selection of these flavour-enhancing foods in small or large spaces. Ideas for which herbs and spices go best with which foods also accompany each description, so that you can really enliven your repertoire of recipes. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herbs and Spices Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense is packed full of great ideas and tips. Granny brings traditional home-making up to date with cooking, gardening, needlecrafts and even games to play with the kids...Click on the link below to order your copy.  Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore and preparing nourishing home cooked meals for the family will certainly keep them away from the goodie shelf. Gardening encourages physical exercise and a good healthy dollop of fresh air. And you can get the kids involved too. Before the days of computer games and electronic pets, children used to have fun without rummaging about in the fridge every five minutes. Enjoy a few rainy-day games and crafts of yesteryear with today’s kids. They’ll love it and so will you! Granny's Book Of Good Old Fashioned Common Sense 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 |
