Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled Cress

A well-named and well-loved original variety selected by Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seeds from an on-farm cross between 'Persion' and 'Curly' cress. Its unique erect stems and crispy savoyed leaf shapes make for easy harvest and cleaning, as well as a wonderful "heft and toothsomeness for a little garden cress." Add a little spice to your salads with this fast growing cut-and-come again cress. It seems florists have also caught on to this variety as a lovely, surefire filler for bouquets when it has bolted.

This variety is also super resilient. From our growers: "This variety thrived in 6 weeks of continuous rain last year, and this year thrived in basically a month of drought and temperatures at 80-90F." It is also slow to bolt. Basically, this is a real winner. Thanks Frank!

This species likely originated in Ethiopia and surrounding countries, or in Western Asia, where it was likely first domesticated.

Days to maturity: 20-36

Seeds per pack: 100

Germination rate: 91% on 02/26/2024

Planting / harvesting notes

Shallowly sow seeds directly in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, and then every 8 to 10 days. For larger plants, thin to 4-8" apart, in rows 1' apart. For cut-and-come again, do not thin seedlings. Harvest as early as 2" tall and continue harvesting regularly, and be sure to plant multiple successions.

Seed keeping notes

Allow plants to bolt, and allow the flowers to fade and dry out. Harvest the entire flower stalk when it has dried fully, and lay it out somewhere away from rain and humidity so it can dry further. Whack the seed heads in a bucket to loosen the ripe seeds. Sift them out with a strainer, and winnow away the lightweight chaff with wind, breath, or a fan.