Leafy greens and brassicas · Easy
Garden cress
Lepidium sativum
NFT, Kratky or tray.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- short
- Difficulty
- Easy
Sound origin
Lepidium sativum
Uncertain origin, probably the Middle East. It was already grown in ancient Egypt and has long been a fixture of European gardens.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Garden cress, raw
- Rich in vitamin K
- Rich in vitamin C
- Rich in vitamin A
- Rich in vitamin B9
- Source of potassium
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006).
Key steps
- The fastest crop in the garden: harvest in 10 to 15 days.
- Sow thickly, continuously every 1 to 2 weeks.
- Peppery flavor; quickly goes to seed in the heat.
- Perfect in Kratky or on a tray, like microgreens.
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct. |
| Plants | none |
| Harvest | Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Garden cress in hydroponics: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Garden cress in hydroponics: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Garden cress: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: NFT and the Kratky method. NFT, Kratky or tray.
Garden cress: when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October. Adjust with your own dates.
- Mon Potager Hydroponique growing benchmarks