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.