Cress (Lepidium sativum) is an easy and quick crop to grow indoors at any time of year. The seedlings are harvested complete with stems and leaves, to make a delicious addition to sandwiches and salads.
Cress is a brilliant growing project for children, as it grows so fast and easily. It grows in the tiniest of spaces – seed is sown densely on moist absorbent material or soil and is ready to harvest in just a week or two from sowing. Children love growing cress because it is so quick and easy and lends itself to fun uses such as ‘cress heads’, in washed empty eggshells with the tops carefully removed and filled with moist cotton wool, or indeed on base material made into any shape: snakes, sheep, or whatever takes their fancy.
For grown-ups, cress is just one of a group of vegetables collectively known as ‘microgreens’ that that include pak choi, rocket, and radish. Their flavoursome leaves and crisp crunchy stems make a gourmet miniature harvest for garden-less growers. All that’s needed is a bright well-lit windowsill to grow a delicious fresh contribution to your five-a-day.
How to grow cressGrow cress in moist soil or on any absorbent material, such as cotton wood, in any type of container. Sow seed on the surface and cover to retain moisture until it germinates, then put in a well-lit spot. Harvest by snipping close to the base with scissors.
How long does cress take to grow?Cress starts to germinate in just a day or two if grown indoors in a warm spot, and takes up to two weeks to reach edible size. Cress is ready to harvest anytime from when the leaves have fully opened.
What type of cress can I grow?Curled cress is the most commonly grown type of cress and the best type for growing indoors. Greek cress has a
Read more on gardenersworld.com