When to plant Watercress in Manchester

Nasturtium officinale

Watercress
Watercress · Nasturtium officinale

Watercress is a hardy perennial leafy crop that grows best in shallow running water or very wet soil. In the UK it’s usually grown outdoors in a pond basket, streamside bed, or container kept constantly wet, and it gives the best leaves in cool weather.

20 cm · Partial Shade · High Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

Sow outdoors March to April, plant out April to May, harvest May to December. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    13 Mar to 24 Apr Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds around 13th March - 24th April on the surface of very moist compost, then press them in lightly rather than burying them. Keep the compost constantly damp while they germinate, and sow a fresh batch every 21 days for a steady supply.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    10 Apr to 29 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from 10th April, thin them so the strongest plants have room to spread. Keep the soil wet at all times, because even brief drying checks growth.

  3. 03

    Transplant

    3 Apr to 15 May

    Move seedlings to their final spot around 3rd April - 15th May, spacing them well apart in mud-like soil or a shallow run of water. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep the roots submerged or constantly wet.

  4. 04

    Feed Plants

    3 Apr to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 3rd April, give a very light liquid feed every 14 days if growth slows, but avoid strong feeding that makes the leaves coarse. Keep the bed weed-free and topped up with water.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    1 May to 4 Dec Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start cutting from 1st May when plants are well rooted and the shoots are leafy. Pick little and often through to 4th December, taking the outer stems first and leaving the centre to regrow.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Watercress.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Watercress guides by town

See how Watercress timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.