When to Plant Cress Seeds

Plant seeds in early spring before the last frost. Cress grows quickly, and can be harvested in 15-20 days. Therefore, you can continue to sow Cress up until temperatures exceed 75 degrees F during the day, and then again in the late summer early fall when temperatures drop again.

Where to Plant Cress Seeds

Cress grows best in soil that is well-draining but still moist. Choose an area that is partially shady to full shade.

How to Plant Cress Seeds

Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, thickly in wide rows. Each row should be spaced approximately 18-24 inches apart. Make sure to choose a cooler, shady area. Cress becomes very bitter in hot weather. Water generously, make sure roots do not dry out. You can spray seedlings daily to keep moist. Thin the cress once seedlings are an inch or two tall so that they are six inches apart from each other.

How to Harvest Cress

Cress tastes best during its early seed/leaf stage, so cut or pinch tips of cress once it grows to about 3-4 inches tall. If you cut the plant back to ¼ inch, it will quickly regrow. Snip the stalks off at the base, and store in your refrigerator. Generally, it will last up to one week.