Has anyone grown watercress?

[Florence Fennel]

I don't know what possessed me to buy watercress plants, but they looked really healthy and the nurseryman said I didn't need to grow them by a stream, but now I've got them home and read some entries in my gardening books I'm not so sure. Do they need to be in open ground, or better in containers so I can saturate them regularly? Help and advice please.

[selfraising]

Hi
I grew watercress from plants last year in an old tin bath. Kept the soil boggy and it did well. This year I have sown some seed to try. I have lined a pot with old plastic from compost bags, pierced a few drainage holes (but not too many) and added compost and a bit of my clay soil from the garden and made it really wet. Will be interested to see if they germinate!

[rodofgod76]

We grew some watercress "Aqua" in a pots of compost last year, and they were fine before running to seed, probably because we neglected them more than anything though.

[Beanie]

Vaguely remember reading somewhere that the best way was to grow it in a container, that was itself standing in a tray of water - & that you kept the tray topped up with water all the time.

At least it'll keep the slugs at bay!

[selfraising]

Hmm I thought this applied to watercress in rivers etc where god know what chemicals could be in the water. The watercress I grew last year, tho in boggy conditions still had drainage and was topped up with fresh water when needed. We ate it all last summer with no probs. This years seeds are in sterile compost and will once again have enough drainage to allow water to drain off. Having said that, I woudn't grow it in a pond.

[janeyo]

I grew it last year in a pot with a saucer under, kept it wet all the time and it did just fine.

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks very much for all the advice, I've taken it all on board. Last time I saw a tin bath was when my 2 up 2 down was pulled down and I gave the bath away to the milkman as a water trough for his cows! Wish I'd kept it now to grow veg in!

[selfraising]

Yeah, someone was about to chuck it out but always having an eye out for a potential container I grabbed it! It already had holes in the bottom where it had rusted so all I did was give it a bit of a paint job What about an old bucket?

[Florence Fennel]

Yeah, someone was about to chuck it out but always having an eye out for a potential container I grabbed it! It already had holes in the bottom where it had rusted so all I did was give it a bit of a paint job What about an old bucket?

You've given me an idea, I have an old battered washing up bowl that has been put to various uses in the garden, I'll use that!

[selfraising]

You've given me an idea, I have an old battered washing up bowl that has been put to various uses in the garden, I'll use that!

Go for it! I use allsorts from coal skuttles to collanders and am now looking for an old pair of leather ankle boots to plant up with flowers

[Florence Fennel]

Go for it! I use allsorts from coal skuttles to collanders and am now looking for an old pair of leather ankle boots to plant up with flowers

I'm with you all the way. I have three deep plastic wastebins that had lost their beauty and usefulness for inside, but make brilliant containers for growing carrots - they are too high for the flies. Good luck with your hunt for the boots!