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Watercress — Lettuce | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Watercress
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

60days to harvest

7-14 daysdays to germinate

Z1–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow or start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting; keep soil consistently moist

Cultivation

Sun: Part sun
Water: Frequent, consistent moisture required; prefers wet conditions
Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive soil; well-draining loam with organic matter
Spacing: 6-12 inches
Height: 6-12 inches
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Dark green
Shape: Small, rounded leaflets on upright stems
Flavour: Peppery, spicy, fresh taste with a crisp texture and subtle mustard-like bite.

In the kitchen

Salads, garnishes, sandwiches, soups, smoothies, cooked greens, pesto

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, flea beetles, slugs, snails
Diseases: Powdery mildew, leaf spot, root rot in poorly drained conditions

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	January – December	—	—	January – December
2	January – December	—	—	January – December
3	January – December	—	—	January – December
4	January – December	—	—	January – December
5	January – December	—	—	January – December
6	January – December	—	—	January – December
7	January – December	—	—	January – December
8	January – December	—	—	January – December
9	January – December	—	—	January – December
10	January – December	—	—	January – December
11	January – December	—	—	January – December
12	January – December	—	—	January – December
13	January – December	—	—	January – December

Companion planting

16 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 6 to avoid.

ChivesRepels aphids and improves flavor while providing natural pest deterrent

LettuceSimilar growing conditions and water requirements, mutual shade protection

SpinachCompatible water and shade requirements, efficient use of garden space

MintThrives in similar moist conditions and helps repel ants and rodents

ParsleySimilar moisture needs and attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies

CeleryBoth prefer consistently moist soil and cool growing conditions

RadishesQuick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters pests

GarlicNatural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off disease in watercress

MintShares similar water requirements and helps repel ants and rodents

ParsleyCompatible growing conditions and attracts beneficial insects

ChivesNatural pest deterrent and shares preference for moist conditions

LettuceSimilar water needs and harvest timing for microgreens

SpinachCompatible cool-season crop with similar growing requirements

CilantroThrives in cool, moist conditions and attracts beneficial insects

ArugulaFellow brassica family member with similar water and temperature needs

DillAttracts beneficial insects and tolerates high moisture conditions

Avoid

CarrotsDifferent water requirements - carrots prefer well-drained soil while watercress needs constant moisture

TomatoesRequire warm, well-drained conditions opposite to watercress's cool, wet preferences

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress

RadishMay compete aggressively for water and nutrients in microgreen setup

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress

SunflowerReleases allelopathic compounds that can inhibit watercress germination

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 69
Protein (g): 1.5
Fat (g): 0.1
Carbohydrate (g): 17.6
Fibre (g): 5.3
Sugars (g): 8.55
Vitamin A (µg): 5
Vitamin C (mg): 54.1
Calcium (mg): 8
Iron (mg): 1.61
Magnesium (mg): 24
Phosphorus (mg): 47
Potassium (mg): 304
Zinc (mg): 0.31

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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the lettuce growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Watercress

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Watercress?

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