Plant of the Week: Watercress

Water is the essence of life. Watercress is a prime example of a plant that takes it seriously and reminds us how a little goes a long way.

The basis for civilization, in many ways, is linked to water. The planning for providing adequate supplies has dramatically shaped many of our most famous cultures. Egyptian civilization then and now is oriented to the noble Nile River. Roman Empire thrived on the near magical way they were able to transport it to areas chosen for strategic and logistic regions. Some believe that the effects of lead in pipes brought Rome down by damaging brains and health. Malaria spread by mosquitos from swamp areas has probably shortened more lives than any other disease. New York City has an amazing delivery system with many benefits including Central Park that was originally set aside as a reservoir.

After supplying humans with the fuel that keeps their functioning essential organs water provides the replenishment required by crops that is the next step to survival, solid food. Too much water can be a curse for places where people live through flooding. The challenge to plan for the access to water to growing populations worldwide becomes very local. Greenhouse Gas and the effects of too much is thought of as a worldwide problem, water should be thought of in very small arenas.

It is a worthwhile experience to know your locale and sub region as small as a backyard with a true understanding of this essential gift of God. A celebration and an ongoing test can be to grow Watercress. American and Mountain Watercress are found in North America especially in the Northeast. European Watercress is found all across the Eurasian landform. Africa has a few subspecies and members of its Family Tree. In common they have the need for water (preferably cool) to help them present their leaves to the Sun for photosynthesis. Their hollow stems float on water and hold the leaf in position to thrive. From a large saucer shaped vessel on your deck to a wet field on your property these plants offer fun, food and a check on you planning.

Wetlands have been the focus of protectionist movement in many arenas including the United States. They are precious and sensitive to disturbance. Many more species per square foot exist in them, than surrounding Uplands. By definition they are wet and do little to mitigate downstream flooding. The areas upstream and downstream from them can be crucial in maintaining biodiversity and wet ways that can be watercourses including rivers. We live in a modern world with a palate of possibilities to plan and create human friendly micro climate areas.

Watercress are part of a large family of plants with four-petaled flowers, including mustards, cabbages, broccoli, turnips. All of them require a different amount of water to thrive. In areas where water is not easy to come by but weather begs to help crops grow, such as The Western Slope of the Rockies or the Upper Nile, tradition includes what we can duplicate in a small space.

Watershed Watercress Garden can be a linear configuration that is an amazing way to know and manage a watershed. A gentle slope can be planted with an area that can collect water and allow watercress at the terminus. Start with mustard then cabbage then broccoli and turnips just before the watercress.

Each plant requires an increasing amount of water with our 'cress buddy the last and neediest. Water every day that it does not rain only if or when the water level at the Cress House lowers to a point that makes you all nervous. Over the seasons and time you will know not to forget the importance of water to life and the fragility that is best unabashedly proclaimed by Cress.

Take the knowledge public as we set our priorities. Locking and leaving wetlands “untouched” works against a wide variety of species including our own. Demand understanding of not just the Watercress but that which makes it thrive and not just stay alive. Actions upstream are important and or equal to the results downstream. As the rainfalls the Cress Village will overflow and provide for those below.

Without water, life ends. Life begins with water.

In between, let’s understand.