Watercress
A peppery, nutrient-rich leafy green that loves water! Can be grown in damp soil or hydroponically in water. Excellent in salads and sandwiches.
Watercress seeds
£1.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
March – September, outdoors or indoors
Plant out
Not usually transplanted if direct sown; if started indoors, transplant seedlings carefully once established.
Harvest
All year round (if protected in winter)
Conditions
Sun
Partial shade to full sun, 4-6 hours a day
Water
Constantly moist soil or submerged in shallow water
Soil
Rich, consistently wet soil, pH 6.5–7.5
Spacing
15-20cm between plants if grown in soil
Containers
Excellent in pots or trays, as long as kept constantly wet or in standing water
Indoors
Can be grown indoors on a windowsill in water or moist compost
Care and harvest
Feeding
Not usually necessary if grown in rich compost or changed water
Pruning
Regular harvesting encourages new growth
Harvesting
Snip off stems with scissors, leaving a few inches to regrow
Storage
Keep stems in a glass of water in the fridge for up to a week
Good companions: Mint, Nasturtium