True Watercress, Cress Seed : True Watercress is a delicious highly nutritious aquatic herb. This watercress has a wonderful fresh peppery-tasting flavor. Being semiaquatic, this cress is a creeping perennial whose leaves are popular in salads, sandwiches and as a garnish. True Watercress grow rapidly in damp soil and can be grown in pots of soil placed in a tub of water. Growing instructions Sowing: Start the watercress seed indoors, pressing the seed into the surface of the soil in a germination tray. Make sure the tray has drainage holes, and place it in another container filled with 2-3" of water. Maintain the depth until germination, which usually occurs within 7-14 days. Transplant the seedlings to a stream or very wet area as soon as they can be safely handled. Growing: Make sure the seedlings have constantly saturated soil; the plants can be immersed up to the tips of their leaves. These aquatic plants prefer cold, slowly flowing fresh water; for healthiest growth, they also need rich soil. This plant makes an excellent addition to marshy areas or water gardens; it can also be grown in containers with adequate moisture. Harvesting: Begin to harvest the fresh leaves after 45-50 days of growth. Cut about 6" down from the tips. Use the leaves as soon as possible, since they do not store well. Continue to harvest only until the plant begins to produce flowers, since this makes the leaves bitter. Seed Saving: After the flowers fade, the plant will produce long curved seed pods. Gather the pods as soon as they begin to turn color and the seeds inside have turned brown. Spread the pods out to dry, then crush them and separate the seeds from the pods. Store the watercress seed in a cool, dry place. Planting guide: Latin Name: Nasturtium officinale Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Cool Season Life Cycle: Perennial USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Seeds per Ounce: 20,000 Planting Method: From Transplant Sunlight: Full Sun Height: 18 Inches Color: Green Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer Buy Seeds Online Organic Seeds Heirloom Seeds Non-GMO Seeds Vegetable Seeds Flower Seeds Herb Seeds Fruit Seeds Garden Seeds Seed Starter Kits Rare Seeds Bulk Seeds Indoor Gardening Seeds Seed Catalog Seed Packs for Sale Sustainable Seeds Greenhouse Seeds Seed Suppliers Planting Seeds Home Garden Seeds