Family: Brassicaceae

There are various types of cress, all of which are grown for their edible leaves and used in salads, sandwiches, soups and stews. Some have a peppery or spicy flavor.

Species

Barbarea verna, land cress or winter cress, is sometimes mistaken for water cress. A biennial that is mostly treated as an annual in cultivation, it is grown for its edible leaves and stems which have a hot, spicy flavor.

Lepidium sativum, known as garden cress, originates from northern Africa and western Asia but has become naturalized in North America. It is a fast-growing, hardy annual with an upright growth habit. The edible, parsley-like leaves are rich in iron and vitamins, and are used in salads, sandwiches, soups and stews. It grows to 30 cm (12 in).

Nasturtium officinale, water cress, is a perennial herbaceous plant found growing along the banks of shallow, slow-moving, fresh water streams. Its leaves have a peppery flavor, adding a tang to stuffings, soups and stews.

Cultivation

Barbarea verna is propagated from seed sown direct in early spring and autumn. The tufts of leaves should be harvested four or five weeks later. If left, the plant will sprout again in the following year. For Lepidium sativum, sow seed direct in drills at any time of year, except in cool areas, where it should be grown outdoors only in the warmer months. Dig in a complete fertilizer prior to sowing. Space plants 30 cm (12 in) apart in semi-shade. Water well during dry periods and harvest when the plants are a few centimetres high. If planting with mustard, sow the cress a few days earlier to allow for the longer growing time. Nasturtium officinale seed should be sown in troughs in spring or autumn, or in trenches filled with rich potting mix or humus-rich soil. Water cress requires a semi-shaded position. Soak well before planting and water heavily as needed. Never allow the water to become stagnant. Alternatively, water cress can be propagated by root division. Cut leaves as required; the more the leaves are cut, the more the plant branches out.

Climate

Zone 6.