Winter Cress - Seeds

Barbarea vulgaris is a herbaceous member of the mustard family that forms a rosette of glossy green leaves during its first year of growth. In its second season, it produces upright flowering stems topped with numerous bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators and add colour to the garden.

The young leaves are edible and have traditionally been used in salads and other fresh dishes, particularly during the colder months when leafy vegetables are less abundant. It is a hardy, adaptable and easy-to-grow species suitable for vegetable gardens, wildlife gardens and naturalised areas.

The plant tolerates cold weather well and thrives in fertile, moisture-retentive soils.

How to sow the seeds

Sow seeds directly outdoors or in seed trays during spring or autumn. Cover lightly with fine soil and keep the substrate evenly moist without waterlogging. Germination usually occurs within 7-14 days under moderate temperatures.

Once seedlings have developed several true leaves, thin or transplant them leaving approximately 20-30 cm between plants. It grows best in full sun or partial shade with regular watering.