Garden cress also called broadleaf cress--and other cresses: curly cress and watercress--are quick growing cool-weather vegetables. This is a fast growing vegetable, which can be harvested almost all year. It is a useful winter salad crop that grows well undercover; attractive enough to use in an ornamental bed. Cress will self seed if left to flower. It is suitable to grow in containers. Cress is primarily eaten raw in salads or as spouts, Curly or upland cress is generally eaten cooked like spinach.

Cultural Diversity-. Other cresses are curly cress (Barbarea vernapraecox), also called cresson, early winter cress, or Upland cress, has finely divided leaves resembling parsley or chervil atop thin, branching stems. Curly cress is dark green and is also called curled cress, curlicress, fine curled cress, moss curled cress, and extra-curled cress. Upland cress is a biennial that thrives in damp soil.

• Watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) is a trailing annual usually grown in water. Grow watercress indoors in pot set in a tray of water or along the side of a stream or watercourse. Watercress is an annual which grows in soil in gently running water.

Ideal Site- Cress prefers a fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam soil, but will tolerate a wide range of soil and conditions. Summer crops need light shade. Prior to planting prepare the site by applying a medium-fertility soil improver if not improved by a previous crop. Grow garden cress and upland cress in moist but well-drained sandy loam. Grow watercress in a container of  Organic Compost and sandy soil submerged in running water. The ideal soil pH is pH 5.8 to 6.8.
 

Seed to Harvest- 30-45 days. : As sprouts: 7-14 days

Cultivation- Minimum germination temperature is 50 F (10C). Undercover: Sow in cell packs from March to June for summer cropping. Outside: Sow in July and August for winter cropping. Sow seeds 1/2in (1cm) deep.

Spacing- Rows: 6 x 8in (15-20cm): Block Planting: 6in (15cm)

Plant Care- This is a easy to grow relatively low maintenance crop. Water cress during dry periods.

Problems- Cress is relatively problem free but occasionally can be affected by root aphids and flea beetle.

Harvesting– Pick leaves when they are large enough. Cress will produce over a long period. If grown as sprouts cut tops of seedlings with a scissors when 1-2in (2.5-5cm) tall.

Nutrients- Cress is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin and Niacin, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.