Home garden upland cress

NC STATE UNIVERSITY Horticulture Information Leaflet 8016-A Revised 1/01 ~ Author Reviewed 1/01 College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Science HOME GARDEN UPLAND CRESS Douglas C. Sanders, Extension Horticultural Specialist Soils — Fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam soils are satisfactory for the production of upland cress. Maintain organic matter of the soil by turning undercover crops. Use level or nearly level land to avoid erosion. Varieties — There are many names for upland and other kinds of cresses, which can cause confusion in identification. Upland cress should not be confused with water cress or with pepper grass ( Lepidium nativum) which is also called garden cress or land cress. In parts of North Carolina where upland cress and a similar variety grows as weeds, they are sometimes called creasy salad, creasy greens or highland creasy. Becauseof the confusion in the names of cresses, when ordering upland cress, the grower should include the scientific name, which is Bcirbarea vernci. Example: upland cress ( Bcirbarea vernci). Fertilizing — On sands and sandy loams, broadcast and work into the soil before planting 3 lbofl 0-1 0-10 per 100 ft2. If the plants lose the deep green color, tending toward a yellowish-green, a sidedressing of 6 oz of 10-10-10 per 100 ft of row may be beneficial. The sidedressing should be made Distributed in furtherance when the plants are dry to avoid burning, of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program Lime Requirements — pH 5.8 to 6.5. opportunities are offered to aii people regardless of Have your soil tested to determine the amount race, color, national oriqin, ri- . , sex, age, or disability. North of lime to apply. Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State university, u.s. Department Planting Time — The upland cress crops of Agriculture, and local , , . , ,, r . , . governments cooperating, are sown about the middle of August when the STATE UNIVERSITY A&T STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Helping People Put Knowledge to II soil is moist. These crops are usually harvested from January to March. Spacing — Drill the seed in rows 1 2 to 14 inches apart. A spacing of from 3 to 6 inches apart in the row is desirable. Precision seeding with aGaspardo, Stan Hay or Nibex seeder will reduce the seed used and the need to thin. Method — The land should be plowed far enough ahead so that it may be harrowed several times before planting. It is essential that the seed bed be smooth and firm. Some growers use a pulverizer after planting, but this practice may do more harm than good on soils of different texture and condition. Drill in rows 0. 1 oz seed per 1 00-ft row. The seed should be planted 1/2 inch deep in soil of average texture. The depth of planting should be a little greater in light sandy soils and a little less in heavy clay loams. Weed Comtrol* — Shallow cultivation between rows will control weeds until cold weatherretards their growth. This cultivation is not difficult if suitable cultivating equipment is available. Insects and Diseases* — There is usually very little trouble from diseases of upland cress planted in the late summer or early fall. Insects have caused littledamage in the past, but root aphids now appear to be a threat to the crop. These aphids cause stunting and a considerable reduction in yield. The problem