Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: janiejakemum on June 17, 2009, 21:27

Title: Watercress
Post by: janiejakemum on June 17, 2009, 21:27

Just a thought really

This year is the first year i have grown salad leaves and as i eat quite a lot of it i thought id expand on the usual lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, raddish etc and thought about water cress as i know its very good for you.

I dont have a running stream so would have to grow it in a tub/bucket/pot, really i am after some words of wisdom from people that have or do grow it.

Can i get some from the supermarket and keep it going?
Although i appreciate really its too late this year could i start it from seed, if yes which variety is good for the uk climate?
Wheres best to grow it?, My potting shed has an open side (metal grill) but because it has a roof doesnt get too much direct sunlight, i have a greenhouse too but dont know wheres best really.

Any other pointers would be great, you could also be honest if its not worth it - i'll cope.

Thanks

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: Yorkie on June 17, 2009, 21:40

Have a look here (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/992/2/) for the T&M page on their watercress seeds - contains some cultivation info.

Haven't tried it myself though, sorry.

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: sunshineband on June 17, 2009, 21:42

It's easy to grow from seed

http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/vegetable_seeds/old_english_watercress/

My dad used to grow it at the side of his pond, from stems off a supermarket bunch too. May not be the best idea in the world but he never had flukes around as far as he knew  :ohmy:

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: Ice on June 17, 2009, 21:43

From memory, there have been people that have bought watercress from the supermarket, stuck it in water and grown it.  I believe that it doesn't need running water to grow either.  Have a search on here, my memory is shot.

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: RichardA on June 17, 2009, 23:02

I grow in pots (not too tall ones say about 6 inch in diameter) of general compost stood in a tray of water. replace water often to keep water from going green. Stand in greenhouse and take leaves off regularly as once it flowers taste goes. Sow sucessionally every week or so so I have about 6 pots on go in same tray at any one time. I don't feed as compost seems to be enough for about 4 to 6 weeks growing. Lovely.
R

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: janiejakemum on June 18, 2009, 08:49

So if i get something like a cat litter tray and 2 or 3 small pots then just stand the pots in the water filled tray?

How much water should they sit in, i havent got my pots yet but if pots were say 10inches then i could get the water level up to about 3 inches, is that right (ish)?

Thanks

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: RichardA on June 18, 2009, 09:26

pots are better to be wide but not deep, say 6 or 8 inches across and 3 or 4 inches deep stood in about an inch of water. if they dry out once in a while briefly then not a problem but what you are aiming at it is for the roots to be always in wet medium.
R

Title: Re: Watercress
Post by: GreenOwl on June 18, 2009, 12:57

What about growing land cress? 
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/616/2.html
I've never grown water cress, but I have grown land crees, it has a similar flavour and doesn't need as much water.

According to the blurb it should be planted in later summer and autumn so its not too late either.