Organic garden cress 'Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled'

Organic 'Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled' garden cress (Lepidium sativum) from the seed company Gaia, a heritage cress with a unique texture and slow bolting

'Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled' cress is a heritage cross between the 'Persian' and 'Curly' varieties, selected for its crinkled, upright, and textured leaves . Their vertical growth habit makes for easy, clean cutting , while also providing a surprisingly substantial flavor , unusual for a small garden cress. This variety is known for being the last to bolt (go to seed) in comparative trials, thus offering more harvests per sowing and a longer growing season. An original creation from Wild Garden Seeds , as delicious as its name is memorable.

Spread/Habit : Compact clump, upright foliage
Plant height : 10 to 15 cm
Quantity per packet : 100 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Crinkled leaves, upright habit, very slow bolting, numerous harvests per seed, unique heritage variety

Leaf color : Bright green
Texture/flavor : Crunchy, tangy, dense and unexpected texture
Cold tolerance : Good (early crop)

Resistant to deer (undocumented → leave blank)

Farming method

Sow directly outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost , or grow indoors all year round .
Bury the seeds 6–12 mm (1/4–1/2″) deep in weeded , slightly moist soil.
Install in partial sun / partial shade (level 2) with moderate watering (level 2).
Germination in 14 days between 7 and 15 °C (optimum 12–15 °C).
Space plants 15 cm apart and rows 45–60 cm apart.

Pinch the tufts regularly to stimulate vigorous regrowth .

Harvesting and preservation

• Harvest possible as early as 15 days after sowing .
• Cut the leaves when they measure 7–10 cm (3–4″) .
• For rapid regrowth, cut to 1–1.5 cm (½″) above the ground.
• Cress is more tender before the flower bud stage — harvest early.
• The young shoots can also be eaten.

Keep the leaves cool in a slightly ventilated bag for 2–4 days.

Usage ideas

• In crunchy salads with a spicy touch
• As a fresh topping for sandwiches, bowls and wraps
• In a homemade mesclun salad rich in textures
• In gourmet microgreens
• In creative cooking thanks to its highly decorative wavy leaves

'Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled' cress is a gourmet, unique and very productive variety, perfect for gardeners looking for cress with exceptional texture and prolonged harvests.