Learning how to grow watercress gives you a tasty, water-loving plant option with a peppery taste that can enliven a sandwich or salad. Ann McCarron will show you how easy it is to grow and share our tips for caring for this perennial herb. Who can resist the hot, peppery taste of watercress in a salad, a sandwich, or even garnishing a burger, but did you know that watercress is very easy to grow yourself? Read on to learn how to grow watercress at home in your own garden. As a water-loving perennial, it’s often assumed that watercress can only be grown in fresh flowing water. While this is true, you’ll be happy to learn that recreating these growing conditions using containers is straightforward. You can even grow watercress on a sunny windowsill if you follow our tips! Watercress has been cultivated since Roman and Greek times, and there are good reasons for its long success. Those small fresh leaves are packed full of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and folic acid, making watercress a nutritional powerhouse. It’s not just for salad mixes, either. Add a handful of leaves to smoothies for a healthy vitamin boost, or try your hand at making watercress soup or pesto sauce to add to pasta. Either way, this incredibly versatile leaf is going to taste delicious. What is Watercress? Watercress, also known as garden cress, comes from the cabbage or mustard family Brassicaceae. With the botanical name Nasturtium officinale, it would be easy to confuse watercress with the land-grown, colorful nasturtium ornamental flowering plant, Tropaeolum majus. To add even more confusion, both plants are edible and have a strong peppery flavor, but they are not related botanically. Native Area Watercress is native to Europe and Asia and is naturalized across North America growing in streams, springs, slow-moving rivers, and marshland. As a semi-aquatic herb, watercress thrives in permanently wet conditions, either partially submerged or grown in soil regularly refreshed with clean, clear water. Watercress cannot grow in a stagnant environment. Characteristics Watercress has a dense, sprawling growth habit, propagating freely from leaf nodes which is why you sometimes see fine hair-like white roots on your bagged watercress salad from the supermarket. Leaves are mid-green, alternate, pinnately compound ranging between three to nine leaflets growing on hollow stems. Clusters of four-petalled white flowers are borne on dark green/brown stalks protruding slightly above the carpet of leaves and are a magnet to water insects, hoverflies, and bees. Flower production is stimulated by day length and tends to occur in mid to late summer. Seed pods are similar in appearance to other brassica family varieties: long, thin, and upright, turning brown when ready to harvest. Pods remain elevated above the water, bursting when ripe, falling close to the parent, and usually germinating within a week, providing continuous crop throughout the season. Seeds are tiny, oval, brown specks that are best broad-sown. Each pod contains 20+ seeds, and each cluster of flowers has around 20 seed pods. Watercress has both basal roots to secure it to the location and advantageous roots that float and assist in progressing colonization. Watercress has a vigorous growth rate, allowing harvests in as little as four to seven weeks. Treated as a cut-and-come-again salad, watercress rewards you with continuous lush growth from spring to late fall. Leaves become bitter and unpalatable after flowering, so frequent harvesting will keep your watercress producing new leaves for longer. All parts of the watercress, including the flowers and roots, are edible, but the latter parts tend to be bitter. Watercress is grown primarily for its tasty leaves, which are best consumed raw to get the most nutritional value. Leaves can also be cooked in soups and stir-fries or wilted like spinach. Planting Plant shop-bought watercress outdoors from March if no harsh frosts are forecast. Young plants may suffer from a sudden change in temperature so it’s best to acclimatize them over a few days. If growing in containers, keep indoors until the first frost-free date. Sow watercress seeds outdoors from spring when average daily temperatures are between 50-60°F (10-16°C) or indoors and plant outside once they have become established. Seeds require this temperature range to successfully germinate. If using store-bought transplants in garden ponds, simply place watercress into aquatic pots filled with compost or soilless potting mix and topped with gravel to prevent the growing media from floating away. Sow seed directly along the edges of ponds as long as the soil is saturated, as they grow naturally in that sort of environment. No access to a garden pond? No problem. Grow in containers outside or even on a windowsill. Grow transplants or sow watercress seeds on the surface of the soil and place the pot into a deep saucer filled with water. Keep the saucer topped up at all times using rainwater whenever possible. Place the container in a bright sunny location and watch your watercress grow! Although watercress is a perennial, when growing in containers, it should be treated as an annual. Watercress will not tolerate stagnant conditions which encourage bacterial growth. To avoid this flush your pots at least twice a week simply by removing the saucer and watering the container with fresh water allowing the excess to drain away. Do this a couple of times and return to the saucer topping it up with clean water to keep the soil moist. How to Grow Watercress is self-sufficient with few issues when grown in the correct habitat. Follow the tips below to learn how to grow watercress! Maintenance Generally, pruning is not necessary for growing watercress, although they benefit from regular snipping to encourage new lush growth for continual harvest.

Being able to grow herbs indoors means you can grow your own herbs all year long, not just what they're in season. That means not only will you save money at the supermarket, but your home will be filled with the aromatic fragrance of herbs like rosemary, basil, sage, or lemongrass, and you'll have the convenience of cutting off a sprig or two whenever a recipe calls for it. To grow herbs indoors, you need a sunny window, a pest-free plant (inspect seedlings carefully before buying), a selection of herbs that grow well indoors, and a little knowledge about each plant’s needs. Here are the best herbs to start your indoor garden. Here are 16 herbs you can grow indoors all year long. 01 of 16 Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Whether it is to make pesto or a tomato-based sauce, many gardeners who love cooking Italian food find sweet basil a must to grow. As a bonus, this annual can have ornamental features, too. Some types sport a deep purple foliage color and/or leaves that are ruffly. As soon as your basil reaches 6 inches tall, start pinching it often to keep it from blooming and fulfilling its life mission. Grow basil in a large, deep pot. A large pot is especially important if you will be growing multiple basil plants in the pot: Basil is susceptible to fungal diseases, which can be controlled by providing good air circulation through sufficient spacing (12 inches). For the same reason, avoid overhead watering. A deep pot will allow you to strike the required balance between good drainage and moisture retention. Mature height: 18-24 inches tall and wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: Basil needs good drainage, but not so sharp that water drains through immediately; it likes evenly moist soil. Use high-quality potting soil. Feed it with an all-purpose fertilizer. 02 of 16 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) When selecting plants to include in an herb garden in the home, do not forget the needs of the family cat. Catnip, a perennial which grows like a weed outdoors, is also easy to grow indoors (much easier than basil, for example). Once catnip puts on some height, pinch it early and often to prevent flowering, and give the pinchings to your grateful feline friend. Mature height: 2-3 feet tall and wide Sun exposure: west-facing or south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; minimal fertilization needed; low to average water needs 03 of 16 Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) The chive plant, another easy-to-grow perennial, has a light onion flavor. Indeed, It is related to the common onion. Its grass-like leaves are popular in soups and salads. It also has one of the more attractive flowers among the culinary herbs. Chives will multiply over time. When your chives form a good-sized mass, consider dividing them. If you dig underneath them, you'll find bulblets and a dense mass of roots. You can easily break off a clump (consisting of three or four plants) and transplant it to another pot. Mature height: 10-15 inches tall and wide Sun exposure: can survive in a west-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; feed with an all-purpose fertilizer; average water needs 04 of 16 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Added to soups or salads, lemon balm gives them a citrusy flavor. Or use it in potpourri to scent your home naturally. Susceptible to fungal diseases, care for this perennial as you would for basil. Mature height: 1-2 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; minimal fertilization needed; average water needs 05 of 16 Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) A classic seasoning for Italian dishes, sandwiches, and pizza, this drought-resistant perennial is easy to grow indoors, but err on the side of giving it more, rather than less sunlight than you think it may need in winter. Not as fussy about humidity as rosemary, oregano can still profit from having a little extra humidity. An easy answer is to place its pot on a tray filled with moistened pebbles. Mature height: 2 feet tall, 18 inches wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; use an all-purpose fertilizer; low to average water needs 06 of 16 Parsley (Petroselinum crispum neopolitanum) Parsley, a biennial, falls into two categories. The curly type, P. crispum, has more ornamental value. But the flat-leaf type, P. crispum neopolitanum, has more culinary value, lending a stronger flavor to your Italian dishes. Mature height: 9-12 inches tall and wide Sun exposure: can survive in a west-facing window in winter Soil needs: Parsley needs good drainage, but not so sharp that water drains through immediately; it likes evenly moist soil. Use a high-quality potting soil. Minimal fertilization required. 07 of 16 Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) This drought-tolerant perennial becomes relatively large and woody over time, so give it a big pot. Its harvested leaves are commonly used in dips and drinks. Like basil, rosemary is just a bit fussier to grow indoors than most of the other selections here. This is mainly because it likes high humidity, a condition that many northern homes lack in winter. To address this challenge, build a tent around your rosemary to trap moisture. Simply install (at a height greater than that of the plant) stakes in the pot, and drape clear plastic over the stakes. Lift up the plastic to gain access when watering, then replace the plastic. As the water evaporates, the tent will trap it and increase humidity. Mature height: 2-6 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: sharp drainage; minimal need for fertilizer; low to average water needs 08 of 16 Sage (Salvia officinalis) Known for its use in poultry stuffing, in particular, this perennial is related to the Salvia flowers with which you are familiar from shopping at garden centers, such as Salvia sylvestris 'May Night.' There is also an ornamental sage (Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor') that sports three colors on its foliage. Sage has only moderate moisture needs, so be sure not to overwater it. Mature height: 2-2.5 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: sharp drainage; minimal need to fertilize 09 of 16 Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Herbs in the mint family are especially easy to grow, even indoors. Known for its use in flavoring drinks, teas, and jelly, this perennial likes its soil to be kept evenly moist. An extra benefit of growing this herb indoors, rather than outdoors in the garden, is that it is invasive. Being contained in a pot on your windowsill, it has nowhere to go. Mature height: 18-36 inches tall, with a narrower spread Sun exposure: west-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; minimal fertilization needed 10 of 16 Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Thyme is great for flavoring a variety of types of meat. In addition to the kinds of thyme used mainly for culinary purposes, there are also versions of this perennial used in landscaping as a ground cover. Under the right conditions, red mother of thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineum'), so-named for its flower color, can be quite showy. Thyme is the opposite of rosemary in one respect: It likes low humidity. So save the windowsill in the kitchen (a room that tends to be more humid than most) for your rosemary and find a sunny windowsill in a drier room for your thyme. Thyme is drought-tolerant and can actually be harmed if it gets too much water. You can also dry thyme to use in dishes. Mature height: 6-12 inches tall and wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: sharp drainage; minimal fertilization needs 11 of 16 Bay Laurel Bay laurel also known as bay leaf is used to season soups, stews, sauces, and stocks to release its flavor and then removed before serving. Dried bay leaves have a floral and herbal flavor while fresh leaves have stronger, eucalyptus-like notes. In landscapes, bay laurel can be grown as shrubs or large trees in warm climates, and in cooler climates, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during the winter months. Place it near a sunny window or door and keep it away from cold and hot drafty air. Mature height: 4-8 feet tall Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage, general-purpose potting mix; minimal fertilization needs 12 of 16 Lemongrass The stalks of lemongrass are used in soups, curries, sauces, marinades, teas, and cocktails for its zingy, lemony-ginger flavor. Native to Sri Lanka and India, lemongrass is a fragrant, ornamental grass that can grow up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Hardy to zones 10-11, it can also be grown as an annual in cooler climates. Place it in a bright, sunny location indoors and keep it watered regularly. Mature height: 2-4 feet tall, 2–3 feet wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage, keep evenly moist; use high quality potting soil 13 of 16 Marjoram Marjoram is related to oregano, but has a more sweet and floral flavor, and is used in soups, stews, and meat dishes. To grow indoors, it should be planted in well-draining soil in a pot at least 6 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep with a drainage hole. Marjoram doesn’t need a lot of humidity, but it will need a lot of light and consistent temperatures. Mature height: 1–2 feet tall and wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; keep evenly moist; minimal fertilization needed 14 of 16 Cilantro Cilantro is a tasty herb that brightens up dishes with a fresh, citrusy flavor. Used in recipes across the globe, from chimichurri to zhoug, it's a highlight in salsas, sauces, pestos, and dips. Cilantro is a fast-growing herb that will last a few months indoors, due to its tendency to bolt; once it flowers, it turns bitter. Cilantro's life can be extended by pinching it back regularly. Plant cilantro in a plastic pot, about 18-inch wide and 12-inch deep, which helps retain moisture and humidity, and place it in a spot that’s very bright or provides morning sun. Mature height: 1–2 feet tall, 1–1.5 feet wide Sun exposure: morning sun in an east-facing window or a window with very bright light Soil needs: good drainage, evenly moist, acidic 15 of 16 Dill Not only is dill a signature ingredient in pickled foods, it’s bright and grassy with a celery and fennel like flavor that adds punch to salads, soups, sauces, and creamy dips and dressings. Choose a dwarf variety like ‘Fernleaf’, which is ideal for containers, and keep it near a sunny window with evenly moist soil. Like cilantro, dill is a fast growing plant. When it flowers and goes to seed, it will stop producing leaves. Harvest the seeds, also used to season dishes and pickling spice mixes, once they start to turn brown. Mature height: 3-5 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; rich, loose, 16 of 16 Chervil Chervil is a delicate herb related to parsley that’s used in egg, fish, and poultry dishes, soups and salads. Common in French cooking it’s often referred to as French parsley and has a light anise flavor. Keep chervil by a sunny window and keep the soil evenly moist. Pinch back and deadhead this plant often to promote growth and prevent bolting. Mature height: 2 feet tall Sun exposure: south-facing window in winter Soil needs: good drainage; keep evenly moist; minimal fertilization needed Tip If you decide to try growing herbs indoors, know that it is best to plant them in separate pots, such that your basil, for example, can grow in its own area apart from your thyme; the latter wants a lot less moisture than the former. By growing them in separate pots, you can gear your care to the specific needs of each herb. What Do You Need to Grow Herbs Indoors? To grow herbs indoors, you first need a spot that suits their light requirements. A rule of thumb is that herbs native to a warm region need a south-facing window in the winter, while herbs that like it a little cooler can survive in a west-facing window in winter. If you don't have adequate light, you can also use an indoor grow light. You'll also need an indoor potting mix that will have the right nutrients to make up for not being planted outside, or you can plant a hydroponic herb system that is soilless and water-based instead. How to Grow Herbs Indoors Growing herbs indoors from cuttings or seeds takes just a few simple steps. Start your herbs indoors in early spring. Whether you're transplanting cuttings or growing from seed, spring is the best time to plant herbs since that's when they'll be in their busiest growing season. Prepare the container with indoor potting mix and by placing it in a sunny window. Plant your seeds or transplant cuttings that have grown roots in water. Consider covering the container with a lid or plastic to create a humid environment during the first few weeks. Make sure the soil stays moist. Once they've grown two sets of leaves or the cuttings have firmly rooted in the soil, you can graduate them from their greenhouse setting and move them to their permanent spot.

Drift roses are compact, vigorous, disease-resistant roses that grow in a variety of conditions with ease. A wave of blooms emerges in late spring and repeat-flowers through frost. With their quick growth, mannerly size, and abundance of soft flowers, Drifts create an eye-catching display in versatile garden locations. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in exploring how to foster these easy going shrubs and their delicate appeal. Drift® roses are small-scale roses that flower continually throughout the growing season. In soft shades like apricot, lemon, and peach to vibrant pink and red, a profusion of blooms against compact dark, glossy foliage brings long-lasting color. Their manageable size, disease resistance, and low maintenance make them easy to incorporate into the landscape. Loads of petite, densely packed flowers appear as single cups or double rosettes and carry a light fragrance. The low-growing, prolific plants boast excellent disease resistance and adaptability, making them a lovely but tough-as-nails landscape favorite. What are Drift® Roses? Drifts are a cross between classic groundcover roses and miniature roses. They bear the disease resistance, toughness, hardiness of groundcovers, and mannerly habit and repeat flowering of their miniature parentage. Introduced by Star Roses, a partnership of French rose breeders Meilland and Pennsylvania-based Conard-Pyle Company, Drift comes from the same hybridizers of the Knockout rose. Knockouts are mid-size shrubs with durable appeal, and Drifts represent the same rugged qualities in a more delicate package. As landscape groundcover roses, Drifts tolerate various conditions and need little gardener intervention. They don’t require spraying or fertilizer to grow. They’re winter-hardy and tolerate heat and humidity. Use the flowering shrubs in small groups to create a carpet of color or as single-potted specimens. They grow beautifully along borders, walkways, and among existing shrubs and perennials. Plant them on a hillside for erosion control, along a wall, or as a hedge for added interest and color. Characteristics The florific shrubs are available in a range of colors on mounding plants with a tidy form. On average, they reach only one and a half to three feet tall and spread two to three feet. Each variety bears its own hue, flower form, and habit. The soft blooms have a light, sweet fragrance if you experience them up close. Dark green, glossy leaves provide a stable backdrop to the continual flowers. After the initial flush, plants continue to bloom throughout the warm season without deadheading. The flowers are “self-cleaning” and drop petals on their own. New blooms take their place, usually flowering every five to six weeks but as often as five times a year in warm climates. The shrubs retain a tidy habit and need minimal pruning to maintain a full form. Native Area Drift roses are of garden origin and bred specifically for the high-performing attributes of their low-growing parent plants: groundcover and miniature selections. Groundcover roses are low-growing shrub roses with a trailing, spreading, or sprawling habit. They quickly fill a slope or ramble along a wall with little care. Many are likely descendants of wild climbing ancestors from Eastern Asia, particularly China. Miniature roses, the other parent of Drift® hybrids, likely originate from old China roses, Rosa chinensis. Repeat flowering and compact form are a result of hybridizing miniature varieties. Both types grow across various climate conditions, particularly the hardy groundcover parentage. Planting Carpet types are versatile in countless planting arrangements. Their manageable size makes them perfect for tucking into open pockets, filling a border, or punctuating a container. Depending on the variety, leave three to four feet between selections to allow room for mature growth. Like all roses, they’ll appreciate ample air circulation between other plants. To grow them in a container, choose a vessel twice as large as the nursery pot with good drainage. Opt for a high-quality potting mix and check regularly for adequate moisture. Potted plants dry out more quickly than in-ground plantings. Drifts prefer even moisture, though they can dry a bit between watering sessions.