• home
  • how to grow land cress
  • How to grow land cress

    Thanks to John Harrison of Allotment & Gardens

    Land cress is a fast-growing substitute for water cress, with a similar taste, smaller leaf and a long cropping period – over the winter if desired.

    Recommended Varieties of Land Cress

    • Widely available, called “Land cress” or “American Land cress”

    Pests and Problems affecting Land Cress

    • There are no significant pests or diseases.
    • Although it is classified as a brassica, it doesn’t succumb to clubroot etc.

    Sowing & Growing Land Cress

    • For cropping during the summer, sow directly into the soil between March and August
    • Sow thinly, 1cm (1/2”) deep, in rows 15cm (6”) apart. Thin seedlings out to 10cm (4”) apart for baby leaves or to 30cm (12”) for full-sized plants
    • For overwintering crops, sow in August – September, in rows 30cm (12”) apart, and cover with a cloche for maximum protection during the winter months
    • The plant will tolerate shade and prefers fertile, cool, moist soil – do not allow to dry out and keep weed free

    Harvesting, Eating & Storing

    • Approximate time from sowing to harvesting is 7-8 weeks
    • It has a peppery taste, like watercress
    • It is rich in vitamins, calcium and iron

    Harvest baby leaves by picking a few leaves from each plant. To harvest mature plants, pull the whole plant up and trim the roots off.

    There’s a crash coming – a slap from Mother Nature. This isn’t pessimistic; it’s realistic.

    The human impact on nature and on each other is accelerating and needs systemic change to reverse.

    We’re not advocating poverty, or a hair-shirt existence. We advocate changes that will mean better lives for almost everyone.

    Sign up to our newsletter

    Facebook icon Twitter icon Youtube icon

    All rights reserved © lowimpact 2023