Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early March to early May
- Site
- 2+ hours of sun, soil pH 5–7.5
- Biggest risk
- Downy mildew
In the UK, winter cresses go in the ground early March to early May.
Winter cresses (Barbarea vulgaris) — biennial or short-lived perennial.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early March in Southern England to early March in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early March to early May |
| Midlands | early March to early May |
| Northern England | early March to early May |
| Scotland | early March to early May |
Southern England - detail & sources
No UK-region-specific dates given by any source; a spring sowing window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Midlands - detail & sources
No UK-region-specific dates given by any source; a spring sowing window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Northern England - detail & sources
No UK-region-specific dates given by any source; a spring sowing window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Scotland - detail & sources
No UK-region-specific dates given by any source; a spring sowing window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 5 - 7.5 |
| Sunlight | 2-2 hours direct sun |
| Soil texture | clay, loam or sandy soil, prefers fertile loam or clay-loam (NC State Extension) |
| Drainage | well-drained or moist |
| Lifecycle | biennial or short-lived perennial |
| Edible parts | leaves |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: moist conditions preferred; needs more water than Land Cress to stay leafy (NC State Extension, Gardenista)
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | 0 | Propagate by seed; readily self-seeds (NC State Extension). |
| Basal rosette (year one) | 1 | Forms a basal rosette of shiny, dark green, compound pinnate leaves in its first year (NC State Extension). |
| Cut-and-come-again leaf harvest | 3 | Kept cut back and not allowed to bloom, produces leaves through the year -- needs consistent moisture (Gardenista). |
| Flowering (year two) | 6 | Flowers mid-spring to early summer in its second year, golden-yellow racemes blooming about a month (NC State Extension). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Harvest young leaves, peppery like watercress, before the plant is allowed to bloom -- kept cut back, it produces leaves through the year (Gardenista). Leaves and flowering habit are hardy through winter, giving the plant its common name (NC State Extension).
Diseases
Pests
Winter Cress, a Different Species from Land Cress
References
-
Barbarea vulgaris is distinct from the already-published Land Cress (Barbarea verna): B. vulgaris requires more water and, if kept cut back and not allowed to bloom, produces leaves through the year, growing as a short-lived perennial; B. verna (Land Cress) is tidier, often shorter, less aggressive, with more numerous leaf lobes, and remains robust with less water. Both are edible substitutes for watercress, with a peppery flavour, eaten fresh or cooked.
-
A perennial or biennial herb native to Europe and Japan in the mustard family, growing naturally in moist places, roadsides, stream banks and hedges. USDA zones 5a-9b. Full sun (6+ hrs) or partial shade (2-6 hrs). Soil: clay, loam or sandy; pH acidic to neutral; good drainage or moist conditions; prefers fertile loam or clay-loam, less vigorous in poor dry sites. Erect herbaceous habit, forms a basal rosette in year one, flowers mid-spring to early summer in year two. Golden-yellow, mildly fragrant, four-petaled flowers under 1 inch across, in racemes, blooming about a month. Edible young leaves are shiny, dark green, compound pinnate, glossy with dentate margins. Propagated by seed, readily self-seeds, occasionally forms colonies. No known diseases or insect pests documented. Contains saponins -- consuming quantities of leaves can affect kidney function; non-toxic to cats/dogs but problematic for horses.
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow winter cresses in the UK?
In Southern England, from early March. In Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow winter cresses?
Sow early March to early May.
What soil pH do winter cresses need?
A pH of about 5–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect winter cresses?
Our data links 1 disease and 2 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.