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It's a few years since I've grown it, but I saw a packet of seeds in the 50p seed sale so I popped them in my basket and I will grow it again next year.
It doesn't need any special attention, I sow the seeds in to a container filled with multi purpose compost and stand the container in a tray filled with water. All I do is make sure that I change the water every other day, this seems to be enough for it to thrive.
Billed as a superfood, watercress contains vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and calcium. It's related to mustard and has a peppery taste. It can be used uncooked in salads and sandwiches or steamed and eaten as a vegetable or made in to soup.
It will make a welcome addition to the mixed salad I wrote about growing in my last post.
That was a bargain buy, I love watercress, like rocket it adds a nice bite to salads. Sounds like a good way to sow it too xcx
ReplyDeleteI buy most of my seeds in the 50p sale, it saves me so much money. Watercress definitely adds a bite to salads.
DeleteI love water cress. I've grown land cress before but I'll have to try your container way.
ReplyDeletexx
I've never grown land cress, though I believe it's supposed to be easier to grow than watercress. I haven't had any problems with watercress before so I hope they don't start popping up now.
DeleteGreat idea. I love the taste but always begrudge paying a fortune to buy it in large bags when 'i just want a touch in my salad! Thanks for the tip x Jane
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem when buying it, there always seems to be so much of it. At least when growing it yourself, you're able to take just the amount you need.
DeleteWe have watercress in our pond. Sometimes a graba few roots and put them in a vase of water on the kitchen window sill for easy pickings
ReplyDeleteI can imagine it would do well in a pond. It's a good idea to have some on the kitchen windowsill close at hand.
DeleteI tried in a pebble filled container and water so maybe we need to try compost. I wonder of it would grow in the open ground on the plot.
ReplyDeleteI think it would grow in open ground as the packet says grow in the garden or containers. It grew well for me in a container filled with compost.
DeleteThis is something that I don't think I've seen mentioned in a blog post before.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be, and possibly still are, commercial watercress beds near here. Flighty xx
I'm sure I've grown watercress since I started my blog but can't remember posting about it before. I remember watching a programme about watercress beds, fascinating.
DeleteCertainly worth a try as the store bought stuff doesn't last very long.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't. It's always nice to have your own home grown, fresh produce
DeleteSome watercress somehow found its way into the pond a few years ago. Invasive comes to mind. It took a real effort to get rid of it and stop it taking over the pond completely. Like the idea of growing some in a tray where it can be controlled.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine it becoming invasive in a pond as it was quite prolific when I grew it in a container. Perhaps container growing is best all round.
DeleteI don't like masses of watercress, but a little here and there is nice, so growing it yourself would be a great ideas you can just have what you want! I hope that it does well for you. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's not something I would eat masses of either, but it's nice to have on hand to add to salads. Definitely worth growing.
DeleteI've grown it before in a pot too, you can get a really good harvest. I might give it another bash next year.
ReplyDeleteI found it established well once it got going. I'm looking forward to growing it again.
DeleteI have never grown this vegetable, sounds so interesting! I have to learn about it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've never cooked it myself before, but it's good to add to salads.
DeleteI Have always wanted to row water cress but didn't think it possible so thanks for the tip...I will definitely be trying it next year!!
ReplyDeleteIt grew really well for me in a container so I hope I have the same results this time round.
DeleteWell (and this comes from someone who lives in Hampshire, the "premier" home of Watercress), I think Landcress is a lot easier to grow! [Not as nice to eat though....]
ReplyDeleteLand cress is supposed to be easier to grow, but I haven't had any problems with watercress in the past, I hope I have the same results this time.
DeleteI grew some once and it was delicious. In fact you've reminded me that watercress is one of my favourite salads. I like the big chunky bunches from the greengrocer, not the supermarket bags. Hot and peppery, wonderful. I must try growing it again.
ReplyDeleteI always try to buy from a greengrocer rather than a supermarket, far superior quality produce. I'm pleased to hear of someone else who's had success with watercress, it's a myth that it has to be grown in flowing water.
DeleteI have always been put off growing watercress because of the water bit, but it will give it a go now next year. Great price for your seeds x
ReplyDeleteI think many people have been put off growing watercress as they think it has to be grown in flowing water but it's grown really well for me in a container before. I try to buy as many seeds as I can in the 50p sale, it saves me a fortune.
DeleteOooo - I love a bargain! It's interesting that you have found growing watercress so straightforward. I will definitely give it a go next year.
ReplyDeleteI think many people have been put off growing watercress as they think it's too complicated or they have the wrong conditions, it's not the experience I've had in the past at all.
DeleteGreat to get the seeds for 50p!
ReplyDeleteI buy them from The Garden Centre group which was formerly Wyevales, they have a 50p sale every year at the end of August. It saves me a fortune.
DeleteThis takes me back to my childhood, Jo, as I think watercress was the first plant I ever grew from seed. Also, grew the cress with tiny leaves (forget its name) on a damp blotter. Was that the start of my passion I wonder? ... P. x
ReplyDeleteI remember growing cress on cotton wool, both at school and at home when I was little. I think it's one of those easy things which encourage children to start growing plants as it's so quick and easy.
DeleteI grow watercress direct in normal garden soil and it does fine there too, in fact I relocated a self seeded plant I found under my carrots this morning.
ReplyDeleteI think we're so used to hearing about it being grown in flowing water that many people don't realise that they can grow it in normal conditions too. It's good to hear of someone growing it in the ground as I've only tried it in containers myself.
DeleteI bought watercress from a greengrocer a few years ago, it still had a few roots on so I planted it in a bowl of water with a little compost on the bottom, it's done brilliantly and grows all year, I only add to the water when it gets a little low. I must show you it on my next post. Good luck with yours, you can't argue with the price!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt shows that it's trial and error with some things. It sounds like your watercress is very happy growing as it is, especially as it's growing the year round.
DeleteI have grown this and it is now like a weed in my garden! It tastes so much better than any you will buy in the shops!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how it can become a bit of a weed yet it's known for being difficult to grow. I think it's the same as everything, much nicer tasting when home grown.
DeleteI have tried growing watercress in the garden in a moist spot and it did quite well for some time, but then dissapperead. I might try growing it in a container next. On our allotment I grow landcress (Barbarea verna) which has a similar taste and is very hardy, but does not need as much water.
ReplyDeleteI've treated it as an annual when I've grown it in the past so I'm not sure if it would continue to thrive through winter or not, I shall have to try it next time. I've never grown landcress but it's supposed to be easier to grow than watercress.
DeleteI love watercress so this is one for me to try next year. Thanks for the tip. Thank you for your congratulations about the award. I'm over the moon. :))
ReplyDeleteI think there'll be a few of us giving it a go next year, it will be interesting to see how we all do.
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