Cress Curled

What Cress Curled is

Cress Curled (Lepidium sativum) is an annual herb of the Cabbage family (Brassicaceae). This slow-growing garden cress produces plants with dark green, finely cut, curled leaves.

The flavour is fresh, similar to horseradish.

Germination of these seeds takes about 10 days, and the sprouts will add a spicy flavour to sandwiches or salads.

Cress is very rich in B and C vitamins, carotene, magnesium, iron, iodine and phosphorus. Used in cooking as a seasoning.

Cress is the fastest green — ready in 2–3 weeks, with a spicy taste similar to horseradish. Grows in the garden, in a pot and on the windowsill.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 95%
• Pack size: 5 g
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March and April; direct
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Cress Curled

Cress Curled seeds are sown in March and April. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Cress Curled

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5 cm
• Spacing: thickly, in rows 10 cm apart
• Germination: 2–4 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Cress grows almost anywhere, but prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade. As it is a cool-weather plant and excess heat tends to give the leaves a bitter taste, it should be grown in spring and autumn in most regions. After the last spring frost or in late summer, sow pre-germinated cress seeds directly 1 cm deep in rows 15 apart. If you plan to harvest cress on a small scale, the plants can be spaced 5-7 cm apart. apart. Keep the soil moist for best growth. For a continuous harvest, sow a new crop every 10 days. It can be grown indoors in a pot because it germinates quickly.

Sow every 2 weeks; keep the soil moist.

Harvest and use

Cut at a height of 5–10 cm.

Frequently asked questions

When should Cress Curled be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 95%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.