How to Grow Garden Cress: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest
Quick answer
Plant in early spring as soon as you can work the soil (Cornell). Succession every 2–3 weeks. Not the same as watercress.
Garden cress at a glance
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Updated
Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.
Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.
Not watercress: garden cress is Lepidium sativum. Aquatic/semi-aquatic watercress is a different crop — see how to grow watercress.
Planting timing
Cornell: “Plant in early spring as soon as you can work the soil. Broadcast seed and cover very lightly… Make succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until weather warms.” Fall plantings when cool returns. (Cornell cress — verify live URL) UAEX: plant at two-week intervals as soon as the ground can be worked. (UAEX FSA-6084) USU: “Garden cress does not tolerate frost so plant near the frost free date for your area.” (USU cress)
Depth and spacing
UAEX: sow 10 to 15 seeds per foot; cover 1/4 to 1/2 inch. USU: seed ¼ inch; thin 8–12 inches.
Sun, soil and water
Cool moist leafy culture; heat makes leaves bitter (Cornell).
Care
Succession sow every 2–3 weeks (Cornell/USU).
Harvest
USU: 2–3 weeks after emergence; snip older leaves ~2 inches. UAEX: pick leaves 3–5 inches or whole plant before seedstalks.
Pests and diseases
Cultural cool-season timing first.
Related: watercress · ZIP planner · organic pest control
Frequently asked questions
When do I sow?
Early spring as soon as soil can be worked (Cornell).
Same as watercress?
No — see the watercress grow guide.
More grow guides: All grow guides
Sources
- Cornell University CALS: Cornell cress
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension: UAEX FSA-6084
- Utah State University Extension: Cress in the garden