Baby Leaf "American Land Cress"

550 seeds

How to Seed Baby Leaf “American Land Cress” (Barbarea verna)

1. Best Time to Sow (Gulf Region):

   • Outdoors: From October to February, when temperatures range between 15–25°C (59–77°F).

   • Indoors or shaded greenhouses: Can also be grown from September to March in cooler coastal areas.

   • Avoid sowing from April to September, as high Gulf heat causes premature bolting (flowering).

2. Sowing Depth:
   Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in moist, fine soil.
   Cover lightly with soil or compost and water gently.

3. Soil:
   Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with good organic content.
   Ideal Gulf mix: 40% garden soil + 30% compost + 20% peat moss + 10% perlite.
   Soil should remain consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

4. Light & Temperature:

   • Germination temperature: 15–20°C (59–68°F).

   • Grows best in full morning sun with partial shade in the afternoon to prevent leaf scorching.

   • Ideal for growing during the cooler winter months in the Gulf.

5. Germination Time:
   Seeds germinate in 5–10 days under moist, mild conditions.

6. Thinning / Transplanting:

   • Once seedlings are 3–5 cm tall, thin them to 10–15 cm apart for leaf growth.

   • If growing as baby leaves, sow densely and harvest early without thinning.

   • For mature plants, allow more spacing (15–20 cm apart).

7. Growing Tips for Gulf Climate:

   • Sunlight: Prefers bright sunlight in winter, with light shade during warm afternoons.

   • Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist — do not let it dry out completely.

   • Feeding: Use a mild liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks to promote lush green foliage.

   • Harvesting:

     • For baby leaves, harvest after 25–30 days when leaves are about 5–7 cm long.

     • For mature plants, harvest individual outer leaves or cut back completely to regrow.

   • Maintenance: Remove yellowing leaves and weeds regularly to ensure healthy growth.

   • The “American Land Cress” variety produces tender, peppery green leaves, similar to watercress, but more tolerant of warm Gulf winters — perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishing.