Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: jean48 on February 21, 2007, 13:15

Title: watercress
Post by: jean48 on February 21, 2007, 13:15: I have a boggy part in my garden and was wondering if I could grow some watercress there has any one tried this and any tips please
Title: watercress
Post by: WG. on February 21, 2007, 13:18: I grow watercress and it is yummy - bears no resemblance to the shop-bought stuff. Actually doesn't need to be really boggy. Part-shade or full sun. Are you growing from seed?
Title: watercress
Post by: jean48 on February 21, 2007, 13:23: yes I will be growing from seed . dose it take long to germanat
Title: watercress
Post by: WG. on February 21, 2007, 13:36: Wasn't too slow to germinate but the plants stayed small for a long time before they took off. You need to keep them well watered and well weeded. See http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/watercress.html for more info.

My watercress looks like it has survived the winter so looking forward more salads and sannies
Title: watercress
Post by: jean48 on February 21, 2007, 13:48: thanks Whiskey
Title: watercress
Post by: Trillium on February 21, 2007, 14:51: If anyone is thinking of growing garlic in an actual pool of water, forget it. A friend planted some in his homemade pond and creek thinking it would look nice, and it did the first year. In the 2nd year you couldn't see water, or even pond edges, for watercress and out it all had to come. So just plant it where it's slightly boggy and controlable. :lol:
Title: watercress
Post by: rugbymad40 on February 21, 2007, 17:15: Over last garden was sloping and we built two ponds one at the top and one at the bottom joined by a little stream. The stream was powered by a smallish pump and run 24/7. We grew watercress very succesfully in this and it cropped extremely well - and ate even better.

I know it will grow in still water as in our new home we have a small round pond in which it is now sprouting.

You should also try a walk around the local countryside as we have discovered it growing wild and free to pick in a local stream.

Rugbymad40
Title: watercress
Post by: Axe Victim on February 21, 2007, 18:22: Just watch out for Fasciola Hepatica....

http://www.dmacc.cc.ia.us/instructors/human.htm

:wink:
Title: watercress
Post by: WG. on February 21, 2007, 18:40: Quote from: "Axe Victim"
Just watch out for Fasciola Hepatica....

http://www.dmacc.cc.ia.us/instructors/human.htm

My understanding was that this was a risk when collecting wild watercress since the life cycle also required faeces from sheep - maybe others.
Title: watercress
Post by: Axe Victim on February 21, 2007, 21:46: Me too...but wouldn't allotment grown watercress be wilder than your average supermarket jobby?

:shock: :D

Me, I grow it from cuttings...roots like crazy...grows like the clappers...tastes like heaven. :D
Title: watercress
Post by: Trillium on February 21, 2007, 22:39: Quote from: "Trillium"
If anyone is thinking of growing garlic

Sorry, folks - typo error. Meant to say watercress. Who on earth would plant garlic in bog? :oops:
Title: watercress
Post by: Aunt Sally on February 21, 2007, 22:45: Quote from: "whisky_golf"
Quote from: "Axe Victim"
Just watch out for Fasciola Hepatica....

http://www.dmacc.cc.ia.us/instructors/human.htm

My understanding was that this was a risk when collecting wild watercress since the life cycle also required faeces from sheep - maybe others.

Yes it does so no risk from land cress

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/Lesley-Jean/virbaclivfluke.jpg)

(OH is a Parasitologist)
Title: watercress
Post by: muntjac on February 21, 2007, 22:50: i remember picking it in wallingford on thames oxfordshire when i was 16 it was growing in proper pools with the water washing in froma chalk stream even trout swam up river from it . handfulls thrown into a steaming billy on an open fire n mashed down with milk and cream pepper and butter into a soup , dam that bread shop there was a heavenly place
Title: watercress
Post by: WG. on February 21, 2007, 22:50: Thanks for that Aunty. That picture will be etched into my memory for recall when I'm eating my watercress sannie! :lol:
Title: watercress
Post by: WG. on February 21, 2007, 22:58: Quote from: "muntjac"
i remember picking it in wallingford on thames oxfordshire when i was 16 it was growing in proper pools with the water washing in froma chalk stream even trout swam up river from it . handfulls thrown into a steaming billy on an open fire n mashed down with milk and cream pepper and butter into a soup , dam that bread shop there was a heavenly place
Watercress soup is terrific stuff - must have been especially good cooked outdoors.
Title: watercress
Post by: shaun on February 21, 2007, 22:59: it was only last week it was on the news that water cress was a cure for cancer :shock:
Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Penny22 on February 24, 2007, 18:40: Quote from: "jean48"
I have a boggy part in my garden and was wondering if I could grow some watercress there has any one tried this and any tips please

Hi, I'm newish to vegetable and fruit growing (started last year), no expert but you may be interested in what it says on the back of some 'Thompson & Morgan' water cress seeds I have just bought. It says that although its grown commercially in water it will grow in garden soil, provided it is given plenty of water. It also says it can be grown in a container stood in a saucer of water (which is what I plan to do). Eat this stuff everyday so I really hope it works...good luck with yours if you try it.
Title: watercress
Post by: waddecar on February 24, 2007, 19:13: Yup, I grow 4 plants in a 12" pot standing on gravel in a large tray, keep water up to top of gravel. Seems to work better in shade
Title: watercress
Post by: Sadgit on July 13, 2007, 12:47: well my Watercress after 3 months is still just tiny shoots and nothing else.. I have been growing it in a bucket of water and refreshing/moving the water daily... I give up with it...