Cress is a he althy herb that provides additional vitamins, especially in winter. Growing it is very easy and even beginners can easily grow cress - whether in the garden or on the windowsill.
How can you plant cress successfully?
Cress is easy to grow in gardens or on windowsills. It requires a sunny location, moist soil without waterlogging and temperatures from 15 degrees. The sowing takes place from May to September and the harvest after two to three weeks.
Where can you grow cress?
You can grow cress almost anywhere where there is a bit of space:
- Sunny location
- Wet ground
- No waterlogging
- Sunny window sill
In the garden you should plant varieties such as watercress, as they grow larger and do not grow quite as well in pots.
Cress does not tolerate frost and thrives best at temperatures from 15 degrees upwards. It grows particularly well in a sunny location. But you can also easily grow cress in the shade. It just takes a little longer.
Which substrate does cress grow best on?
The substrate must be kept moist and provide support for the roots. Cress grows just as well on normal garden soil as on cotton wool, temporary handkerchiefs, kitchen paper or peat tablets.
When is the best time for sowing?
You can sow cress outdoors from May to September. Indoor cultivation is even possible all year round.
The first sowing of cress in the garden is possible from mid-May and can be continued until the temperatures drop too much.
What planting distance do you have to keep in the garden?
If you create a cress bed in the garden, maintain a row spacing of 15 centimeters. You don't have to separate the cress in a row. If it is too dense, simply harvest excess plants.
You can also grow cress in a wide area between other vegetable plants.
Is cress suitable as a cover crop?
Yes, because of the short vegetation period, harvested beds can be planted with cress at short notice. This has the advantage that the soil is used and the weeds are suppressed.
How is cress sown?
Sow the cress either in rows or over a wide area. Press the seeds lightly. Cress is a light germinator, the seeds are not covered with soil.
When can you harvest home-grown cress?
In the garden, you can harvest the cress two to three weeks after sowing. As soon as the plants start to flower, the leaves lose their aroma.
The cress on the windowsill is ready to harvest after just a few days.
How is cress propagated?
Propagation takes place via seeds, which you either buy commercially or pick from your cress plants.
Does cress get along with other plants?
Cress gets along with almost all other plants.
Tips & Tricks
Cress is the ideal plant for hobby gardeners who believe they lack a green thumb. You must be doing a lot wrong if you don't manage to grow the easy-care cress. Cress is particularly suitable for teaching children about sowing, planting and harvesting.
