Cress

Rock Cress Snow Peak Seeds (Arabis alpina) produce a blanket of stunning, pure white flowers that create a dramatic contrast against the rich green foliage. Known for its compact growth and hardiness, this perennial is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to rock gardens, borders, or containers. The flowers bloom in early spring, covering the plant in a beautiful, snow-like display. Rock Cress Snow Peak thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it a low-maintenance and resilient addition to any garden. It is also a favorite for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Features:

• Stunning, pure white flowers create a beautiful, snow-like display in spring
• Compact growth, making it ideal for rock gardens, borders, and containers
• Hardy perennial that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil
• Low-maintenance, requiring minimal care while providing vibrant blooms year after year
• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden ecosystem

Resilient and long-lasting, perfect for gardeners of all levels

Chinese Violet Cress, also known as Cress Cabbage or Serrated Cress, is a unique and hardy green that offers a peppery, mustard-like flavor. This leafy herb is rich in nutrients and adds a delightful, spicy touch to a variety of dishes. Known for its rapid growth and resilience, Chinese Violet Cress is perfect for gardeners looking to grow a flavorful green that thrives in cooler temperatures. Whether you're using it fresh in salads or as a garnish, this herb will bring both flavor and nutrition to your meals.

Key Benefits

• Peppery, Mustard-Like Flavor: Delivers a mild, spicy kick to dishes, similar to watercress or mustard greens.
• Fast-Growing: Chinese Violet Cress matures quickly, often ready for harvest in just 3–4 weeks.
• Rich in Nutrients: High in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and antioxidants, this cress is an excellent source of health-boosting nutrients.
• Cold-Tolerant: This hardy herb grows well in cool weather and can be planted early in the spring or late in the fall.
• Versatile in the Kitchen: Great for salads, sandwiches, soups, or as a garnish, adding a spicy, zesty flavor to any dish.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Chinese Violet Cress features jagged, serrated leaves that form a dense rosette. The leaves are deep green, adding an attractive, vibrant touch to your garden.
• Flavor Profile: Mildly spicy with a peppery bite, the flavor resembles mustard greens or watercress but with a more subtle kick.
• Growth Habit: Grows in compact, dense clumps, ideal for small spaces or container gardening.
• Height: Typically grows to about 6–10 inches tall.
• Hardiness: Suited for USDA zones 3–9, Chinese Violet Cress thrives in cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frost.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Outdoors: Chinese Violet Cress can be planted in early spring as soon as the soil is workable or in late summer for a fall harvest. It tolerates light frost and grows well in cooler conditions.
• Indoors: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost for an early harvest.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart to allow for healthy growth and good air circulation.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. It grows well in slightly acidic to neutral soil.
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade, especially in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, as Chinese Violet Cress thrives in cool, humid conditions. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer at planting and again when the plants are about 4–6 inches tall to encourage robust growth.
• Pruning: Regularly trim the leaves to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.
• Pest and Disease Control: Chinese Violet Cress is generally resistant to pests but may attract aphids or caterpillars. Use organic pest control methods like neem oil if needed.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Chinese Violet Cress is ready for its first harvest in 3–4 weeks, depending on growing conditions.
• Method: Snip the outer leaves with scissors or garden shears, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing for ongoing harvests.
• Best Time: Harvest when the leaves are young and tender, before the plant begins to flower. This ensures the best flavor and texture.

Storage

• Short-Term: Fresh Chinese Violet Cress can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Keep it wrapped in a damp paper towel inside an airtight container.
• Long-Term: Chinese Violet Cress can be frozen after blanching. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Add fresh Chinese Violet Cress to salads for a peppery, spicy flavor.
• Sandwiches: Use the leaves as a garnish or add them to sandwiches and wraps for extra flavor.
• Soups: Stir Chinese Violet Cress into soups for a fresh, zesty kick.
• Garnish: Sprinkle over dishes like grilled meats, eggs, or roasted vegetables.
• Smoothies: Blend Chinese Violet Cress into smoothies for a nutritious, spicy boost.

Conclusion

Chinese Violet Cress is a fast-growing, cold-tolerant herb that offers a unique, peppery flavor to a variety of dishes. With its rapid growth, nutrient-rich leaves, and versatility in the kitchen, it’s a great addition to any garden. Whether used fresh in salads, sandwiches, or soups, or as a spicy garnish, Chinese Violet Cress adds both flavor and nutrition to your meals. This hardy, easy-to-grow herb is perfect for gardeners looking for a quick and rewarding crop that thrives in cooler weather.

Curled Cress, a popular variety of garden cress, is known for its delicately curled leaves and peppery flavor. This fast-growing green is perfect for gardeners looking for a hardy, easy-to-grow herb that can be harvested in just a few weeks. Ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, or garnishes, Curled Cress offers a mild, tangy flavor that adds freshness and spice to a variety of dishes. With its rapid growth and cold tolerance, it’s an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners looking for a flavorful, nutritious addition to their garden.

Key Benefits

• Peppery, Mild Flavor: Offers a light, peppery flavor that complements many dishes without overpowering them.
• Fast-Growing: One of the quickest greens to harvest, Curled Cress can be ready in as little as 2–3 weeks.
• Rich in Nutrients: High in vitamins A, C, and K, Curled Cress provides a healthy boost to any meal.
• Cold Tolerant: Thrives in cool weather, making it an ideal crop for early spring or late fall planting.
• Versatile in the Kitchen: Great for fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, and as a garnish.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Curled Cress has small, tender leaves with a distinct curly shape. The plants form a dense, compact rosette.
• Flavor Profile: A mild, tangy flavor with peppery notes, similar to mustard greens but less intense.
• Growth Habit: Grows quickly in dense clumps, producing fresh, tender leaves that are perfect for early harvesting.
• Height: Typically grows to about 6–8 inches tall.
• Hardiness: Suitable for USDA zones 4–9, Curled Cress is perfect for colder climates and can handle light frost.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Outdoors: Plant Curled Cress as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring or in late summer for a fall harvest. It can tolerate light frost, making it an excellent cool-season crop.
• Indoors: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost for an early harvest.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds or seedlings 4–6 inches apart to allow for healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Curled Cress grows well in slightly acidic to neutral soil.
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, as Curled Cress prefers cool, humid conditions. Water regularly, especially in dry weather, but avoid waterlogging the soil.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer when planting and again when the plants are about 4 inches tall to encourage robust growth.
• Pruning: Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth. This helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
• Pest and Disease Control: Curled Cress is fairly resistant to pests but may attract aphids. Use organic pest control methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, if needed.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Curled Cress is ready for its first harvest in 2–3 weeks, depending on growing conditions.
• Method: Snip the outer leaves with scissors or garden shears, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing. This ensures a continuous harvest.
• Best Time: For the best flavor, harvest the leaves when they are young and tender, before the plant begins to flower.

Storage

• Short-Term: Fresh Curled Cress can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Store in a damp paper towel inside an airtight container.
• Long-Term: Curled Cress can be frozen after blanching for long-term storage. Frozen cress can be stored for up to 6 months in an airtight container.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Curled Cress adds a peppery, tangy flavor to fresh salads.
• Sandwiches: Use the leaves as a spicy garnish in sandwiches or wraps.
• Soups: Add fresh Curled Cress to soups and broths for a burst of flavor.
• Garnish: Sprinkle over dishes like eggs, avocado toast, or roasted vegetables for added color and flavor.
• Smoothies: Blend into smoothies for a nutritious and peppery boost.

Conclusion

Curled Cress is a fast-growing, nutritious herb that adds a peppery flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Its quick growth, rich nutrient profile, and cold tolerance make it an ideal choice for gardeners in many climates. Whether used fresh in salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish, Curled Cress will enhance the flavor and nutrition of your meals. This easy-to-grow herb is perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, providing a fresh, zesty addition to your culinary repertoire.

Upland Cress is a fast-growing, hardy green that boasts a peppery, tangy flavor similar to watercress, but it thrives without the need for aquatic conditions. This nutrient-rich herb is a great addition to any garden, providing fresh, spicy leaves for salads, sandwiches, or garnishes. Upland Cress is perfect for gardeners looking for a quick-growing, flavorful green that can be harvested early and throughout the season. Known for its resilience, this herb can tolerate a range of conditions, making it an easy and rewarding plant to grow.

Key Benefits

• Peppery, Tangy Flavor: Offers a spicy, mustard-like flavor that can enhance a variety of dishes.
• Fast-Growing: Quick to germinate and mature, Upland Cress can be harvested within weeks of planting.
• Rich in Nutrients: High in vitamins A and C, calcium, and antioxidants, Upland Cress is a healthy addition to any meal.
• Cold Tolerant: Thrives in cooler temperatures, making it perfect for early spring or late fall planting.
• Versatile in the Kitchen: Ideal for salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, or as a garnish, adding a burst of flavor and nutrition to any dish.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Upland Cress has small, rounded, deep green leaves that grow in a dense rosette. The plants can produce small white flowers in late spring.
• Flavor Profile: Spicy and peppery, with a tangy, mustard-like taste that is both bold and refreshing.
• Growth Habit: Grows in a compact, dense clump with leaves that are tender and edible.
• Height: Typically grows to about 6–12 inches tall, depending on growing conditions.
• Hardiness: Suitable for USDA zones 3–9, Upland Cress tolerates cool temperatures and can be grown early in the season.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Outdoors: Upland Cress can be planted in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall harvest. It can tolerate light frost.
• Indoors: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost for an earlier harvest.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart to allow for good airflow and healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Upland Cress can tolerate slightly acidic to neutral soil.
• Sunlight: Needs full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, partial shade helps prevent bolting.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, as Upland Cress prefers humid, cool conditions. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time and again when the plants are about 6 inches tall to encourage healthy growth.
• Pruning: Regularly trim the leaves to prevent the plants from becoming too leggy. Remove any flowers that appear to prolong the harvest of tender leaves.
• Pest and Disease Control: Upland Cress is generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to aphids. Use organic pest control methods if needed.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Upland Cress is ready for its first harvest in as little as 3–4 weeks, depending on growing conditions.
• Method: Harvest by snipping the leaves with scissors or garden shears. For continuous harvesting, trim the outer leaves and allow the center of the plant to continue growing.
• Best Time: For the best flavor, harvest Upland Cress when the leaves are young and tender, before flowering begins.

Storage

• Short-Term: Fresh Upland Cress can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Store the leaves in a damp paper towel inside an airtight container to keep them fresh.
• Long-Term: Upland Cress can be frozen for long-term storage. Blanch the leaves briefly and freeze in airtight containers for up to 6 months.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Upland Cress adds a spicy, peppery kick to fresh salads.
• Sandwiches: Use the tender leaves as a garnish or add them to sandwiches for a burst of flavor.
• Stir-Fries: Add Upland Cress to stir-fries for an extra layer of flavor.
• Garnish: Sprinkle Upland Cress on soups, stews, or pasta dishes as a fresh, zesty garnish.
• Smoothies: Incorporate fresh Upland Cress into smoothies for a healthy, peppery twist.

Conclusion

Upland Cress is a nutritious, fast-growing green that adds a peppery, tangy flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether you're using it fresh in salads or as a garnish, or adding it to cooked meals, Upland Cress is a versatile herb that thrives in cooler temperatures and can be harvested quickly. With its rich nutritional profile and easy care requirements, it's an ideal plant for both novice and experienced gardeners. Add Upland Cress to your garden for a spicy, healthful addition to your meals throughout the growing season.