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An armload of Cress Emerald Beads
An armload of Cress Emerald Beads
Cress Emerald Beads growing in the field
A bunch of Cress Emerald Beads
Cress Emerald Beads growing in the field

Cress ‘Emerald Beads’

Lepidium setatum

Features

  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Foliage & Filler
  • One-hit wonder

Description

Cress is typically marketed as a salad green, however, if allowed to go to seed, it makes a bulletproof, versatile filler. Upright, apple-green panicles are covered with tiny textural beads. Cress is durable and ages well, turning golden at the end of the season. This must-grow variety can be used from midsummer through autumn and can also be dried.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed, or direct-seed as soon as the ground can be worked. Succession-plant every 2 weeks for continual harvest. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when seedpods are fully formed and the top blooms have faded. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days. Seed heads can be dried and used indefinitely. To dry, hang upside down in a warm, dark place until firm.

Details

Description

Cress is typically marketed as a salad green, however, if allowed to go to seed, it makes a bulletproof, versatile filler. Upright, apple-green panicles are covered with tiny textural beads. Cress is durable and ages well, turning golden at the end of the season. This must-grow variety can be used from midsummer through autumn and can also be dried.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed, or direct-seed as soon as the ground can be worked. Succession-plant every 2 weeks for continual harvest. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when seedpods are fully formed and the top blooms have faded. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days. Seed heads can be dried and used indefinitely. To dry, hang upside down in a warm, dark place until firm.

Sources

How to Grow

How to Grow

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