Growing delicious cress with children

Cress packs a punch

Kresse anpflanzen | Mädchen hält Schale mit Kresse hoch

Popular kitchen herb:

The cress we eat on buttered bread is called garden cress and belongs to the mustard family. Nasturtium, winter cress and watercress are also edible, but they do not grow nearly as quickly or as undemandingly as garden cress. The tiny green leaves not only look pretty, they also have a lot of other good qualities.

Low-maintenance plant:

Cress seeds only need an absorbent substrate and fresh water daily to germinate. Potting soil, specific temperatures or fertilizer are not necessary - perfect for a quick, simple mini-garden on the windowsill.

Quick results:

Already one day after sowing the tiny white sprouts appear on the cress seeds; one or two days later the first little plants form. Little gardeners can practically watch the cress grow. For many children this is more exciting than watching pots of potting soil.

Harvest it yourself:

Even children who normally shun greens will try herbs they have planted and harvested themselves. From sowing and daily watering to harvesting with craft scissors, your child can do everything themselves.

High nutrient content:

Garden cress contains a lot of vitamin C, calcium, iron and folic acid. Especially in the cold season the fresh, slightly peppery herb provides an extra vitamin boost and some variety on the dinner table.

What do I need to grow cress?

Cress seeds:

Small packets of garden cress seeds are available year-round at garden centers and often in supermarkets. Usually the contents are enough for many cress pots. If you buy several packets, you can probably harvest cress on the windowsill all year round.

Planting container:

Kresse anpflanzen | Kresse Keimlinge in Pflanzbox steht auf Tisch

Anything that is reasonably waterproof is suitable: saucers, small plates or shallow plastic bowls, but also rinsed-out yogurt cups, preserving jars, small flower pots, etc.

Cotton wool, plain kitchen towels or paper tissues: Cotton wool is best because it retains moisture for a long time. Soft paper will also work.

A spot with daylight, not too hot and not too cold: At high temperatures cress grows faster, but the risk that the moist seedlings will mold is higher. Temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees are ideal, for example on the windowsill.

Planting cress with children – this is how it works:

Have your child first lay a layer of cotton wool or paper towels in the planting container. Make sure the surface is as even as possible so that the cress seeds can be spread evenly.
Then your child can gently water the planting substrate until it is completely moistened. In the first days the seeds need a lot of moisture to swell.
If necessary, smooth the surface a little again and sprinkle the cress seeds as evenly as possible. The best way is to cut a small corner off the seed packet. The seeds should be sown close together so that a dense "cress forest" forms.
The seeds must be gently watered every day; the planting substrate should always be well moist. After one day the cress begins to germinate; after about a week the seedlings are ready and can be "harvested" with scissors.

Craft idea for children: Autumn cress hedgehog

Kresse anpflanzen | Kresse in einem Pflanztopf in Igelform

On the windowsill sits a small hedgehog that gradually grows green spikes. A cress hedgehog makes planting cress even more fun for children. The flat, oval dishes with the funny hedgehog head can be bought ready-made, but you can also make them yourself from clay or modeling compound. The great thing about cress hedgehogs is that you can reuse them and the dishes look great not only on the windowsill but also as table decoration.

Cress hedgehog with a twist – an old sock as a planter

You can also make a cress hedgehog from old socks yourself: To do this, fill the sock about halfway with potting soil or stuff it with cotton wool and tie it closed. Cut off the protruding end and attach a pointed hedgehog nose and two eyes to the tip with buttons or craft beads. Then place the sock hedgehog on a plate and thoroughly moisten its back so you can sow cress seeds on it. The sock hedgehog can only be planted once and should not be kept too warm, otherwise it will quickly mold.