Cress Plain has all the attributes of the curled variety but a slightly stronger flavour with different leaf formations to give variation and texture to a salad. It is a dual-purpose type that can be grown indoors on your window sill or, broadcast directly into your soil outside.
Growing Instructions for Cress Plain:
Cress plain grows nearly anywhere, but it prefers rich, moist, well drained soil and full sun or partial shade. Since it is a cool weather plant and excess heat tends to give the leaves a bitter taste, it should be grown in the spring and fall in most areas. After the last spring frost or in late summer, direct sow the seeds 1/4" deep in rows 6" apart, thinning to 3-6" apart when the seedlings appear. If planning to harvest cress at a small size, the plants can be spaced 2-3" apart. Keep the ground moist for the best growth. For a continuous harvest, sow a new crop every 10 days. Cress also grows well indoors for sprouting, since it does not need soil for germination.
Sufficient moisture are crucial to the healthy growth of cress. A layer of mulch often helps conserve moisture.
Cress can be harvested at any size, from micro greens up to a height of 6". If part of the stem is left above ground level, new leaves will grow. The leaves should only be used fresh.
Highlights:
Botanical Name: Lepidium sativum
Common Name: Cress Plain
Plant Type: Vegetable plant
Life Cycle: Annual
Sun Exposure: Partial Shade, Full Sun
Soil Type: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil PH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Rate of growth: Intermediate
