Garden cress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garden Cress |
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Lepidium
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L. sativum
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| Lepidium sativum L.
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Garden cress (scientific name: Lepidium sativum) is a plant that grows very quickly. It's an herb that you can eat, and it's related to other plants like watercress and mustard. Just like its relatives, garden cress has a slightly peppery taste and a fresh smell. People often grow and enjoy garden cress in countries like England, France, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries.
Contents
What is Garden Cress?
Garden cress is a leafy green plant that belongs to the cabbage family, called Brassicaceae. It's known for its small, round leaves and its quick growth. You can often find it growing in gardens or even indoors in small pots. It's a popular choice for people who like to grow their own food because it's so easy to cultivate.
How We Use Garden Cress
Garden cress is a tasty addition to many meals. Its unique, tangy flavor makes it popular in different dishes.
Cooking with Cress
People often add garden cress to soups, sandwiches, and salads. It gives these foods a fresh, slightly spicy kick. You can also eat the tiny sprouts of garden cress, which are very tender. The fresh or dried seed pods of the plant can even be used as a peppery seasoning, much like black pepper.
In England, a very common way to enjoy garden cress is in sandwiches. People often mix cut cress shoots with boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and a pinch of salt to make a simple and delicious sandwich.
Health Benefits
Garden cress is not just tasty; it's also good for you! It contains important vitamins and minerals that help keep your body healthy. Eating fresh cress can add a boost of nutrients to your diet.
Growing Garden Cress
Garden cress is one of the easiest plants to grow, which makes it a great choice for young gardeners.
Planting and Care
You can plant garden cress seeds directly into the soil or in a pot. They don't need much space and can even grow on a damp paper towel! The seeds sprout very quickly, often in just a few days. They like sunny spots and need regular watering to keep the soil moist.
Harvesting Cress
Once the plants are a few inches tall, you can start to harvest them. You simply snip off the tops of the shoots with scissors. This encourages the plant to grow more, so you can enjoy fresh cress for a longer time. Because it grows so fast, you can often plant new batches every few weeks to have a continuous supply.
Images for kids
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Garden cress can grow almost anywhere.
See also
In Spanish: Mastuerzo para niños
