Growing Watercress - How to Grow Watercress
Monday, September 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Once you’ve found out the benefits of growing watercress, you’ll be happy to consume every one of vegetables just like Mom always told you to.
Watercress, also known as Nasturtium officinale isa member of the cabbage family (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). It is an aquatic type plant noticeable because of its zesty pepper flavor.
You may not have heard a lot about growing watercress, but it has been proven to be one of the oldest leaf vegetables consumed by human beings. It is called the original super food because of all the amazing health benefits it can provide you.
In 400 BC, Hippocrates, (the father of medicine), was growing watercress in order to aid his patients. Greek soldiers were forced to eat watercress immediately before battle in order to increase agility. Roman emperors affirmed it outside.
You can plant the watercress in pots or in the ground, as long as the soil remains saturated. Use a rich mix of moist soil, limestone, and organic compost for growing watercress.
As its name implies, it thrives in water. This year round plant is found wild along small creeks and streams. In nature, the plant is partially submerged in shallow water, with its roots in the water, and the top half above the water. Don’t fret, you do not have to live near a lake or pond just so you can grow watercress.
Watercress is a fast growing plant, and can easily be grown indoors in plant pots that are placed carefully into a open container of shallow water. Keep the plants damp at all times when growing watercress. The trick is damp not saturated, because over watering can kill it. Watercress enjoys full sun, but grows faster out of direct sunlight. The ideal place for growing watercress is in slightshade.
Harvest leaves and young stems before the flowers bloom. When @growing watercress@, leaves should be harvested, just before use. Watercress should only be kept in the fridge for a week.
Health benefits of growing watercress…
Watercress is full of nutrients called phytochemicals, which is a group of compounds that fight cancer cells. These strong antioxidants can help strengthen the immune system, which in turn can protect from heart disease.
Because of the large amounts of lutein found within watercress, this becomes an extra advantage of growing watercress. Lutein is well known to be helpful in stopping heart disease.
This unique vegetable is also filled with vitamins, and low in calories, with only 4 calories per cup. When you eat watercress, the peppery heat of the leaves acts as a stimulant for your digestion
Ideas for using watercress—
Try watercress in smoothies, to give it that extra kick Watercress can also be served in sandwiches (think egg & cress). Chop watercress into little pieces and mix it with cream cheese and chives. Watercress adds taste to any type of salad.
Watercress can add a delicious flavor to soups. Chop the watercress into fine pieces and simmer it in chicken or vegetable stock. Add watercress to omelets or stir-fry.
You may have thought watercress was only the greenery on plates served in fancy restaurants. Actually, watercress is one of the main ingredients in V8 Vegetable Juice.
To sum up, it is definitely recommended to start growing watercress. Give it a try.
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