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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: clare on February 06, 2004, 16:57:18

Title: watercress
Post by: clare on February 06, 2004, 16:57:18

Hi folks!!

one of my friends has loads of watercress growing in a stream that runs through his garden....  we're of the opinion that you should only eat the cress if the water is very clean..

does anyone know where we could get a water quality testing kit?  and what should we be testing for to make sure that it is safe to eat?

Thanks,  Clare

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: cleo on February 06, 2004, 17:51:10

Hi Clare

No real knowledge on this one but I would have thought that if the stream has a good balance of wildlife in it that would be some indication.

Also you will be washing it thoroughly,might be an idea to contact the water authority as well.

Stephan.

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Muddy_Boots on February 06, 2004, 17:56:46

Definitely watercress for eating has to come from very pure water.  With Steph on this one, water board consultation!

However, does sound as if your supply is healthy

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: tim on February 07, 2004, 21:37:51

With farming practices today, there is no guarantee that, if you did a test today, it would be safe tomorrow?

A test kit could cost you £100 or so - including clinical analysis.

You can always grow it like we do - in trays? But I would hate to see the real stuff going to waste! = Tim

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Hugh_Jones on February 07, 2004, 22:35:51

The parasites of sheep liver fluke spend a part of their life in water snails, until they are released.  If this should occur, or if a rat should urinate into the stream, the day after your analysis has proved the water clean you might find that eating the watercress had some strange effects

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: tim on February 08, 2004, 20:14:18

Yuk! - grow it my way!! = Tim

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: rdak on February 09, 2004, 12:01:03

Tim,
Can we have some instructions please? Love watercress and was going to try some American Land Cress this year as a substitute.

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 09, 2004, 14:49:34

Yes Tim, I saw your reply to me on the beeb board when I was missing this board (boo :'(hoo), so could you explain again for me.  I lurve watercress, but would prefer to eat wee free cress!   :-/

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: rdak on February 10, 2004, 12:41:58

tim,
please don't keep your watercress growing technique a secret!

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: tim on February 10, 2004, 14:15:57

Not MY secret - no secret!  I find the water evaporates before you have to refill.
(Wiped the photo off in 'tidying up'!)

If you want to see it growing, go back to my album - no.46 - 'not Kew Gardens'. = Tim

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: rdak on February 10, 2004, 15:05:11

thanks Tim- will give it a try. Have found that T&M also sell seeds and say it should be in a shady location- have you found that this is necessary?
And is it quite a prolific crop?

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: clare on February 11, 2004, 14:25:08

Thanks for all your help on this!!!  will tell my friend to get in touch with the local water board... would be a shame if we can't eat all this lovely free food  ;)

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: tim on February 11, 2004, 15:06:42

rdak - no, and yes!

Ours was in a south-facing cold house. And 5 large pots, or 2 large trays, sown progressively, meet all our needs. As I say - see my picture? = Tim

Oh, and Clare -  not recommending anything, but the cress could well be a lot safer than heavily sprayed s/mkt foods?? When we were in N. Ireland, and taking water from a farm well, we had it checked after a year.  So - 'it has ......& ....... in it  '( obviously from the farmyard), 'but we've seen worse'!! And we're all still here. = Tim

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: clare on February 11, 2004, 18:13:40

good point Tim!  maybe I'll get my friend to test it first before accepting any to eat myself.

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 14, 2004, 01:34:57

Tim, sorry to drag this one back up the board again, but someone has replied on the beeb board 'stressing' the need for running water because of the risks of liver fluke.  I am going to grow it the way both you and the seed packet say, just curious, what are liver flukes please?  :-/

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: tim on February 14, 2004, 09:47:40

- nasties from sheep's whatnot?

I should have said that growing in large pots, rather than trays, makes less of a tangle. = Tim

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Hugh_Jones on February 14, 2004, 18:14:29

I mentioned it several postings back E.J.  Liver fluke is a parasite mainly of sheep, but can also infest other animals, including humans.  The eggs of the parasite pass out of the sheep, and are then taken up by water snails, where they develop until they are then discharged in, or on grass close to, water. They remain there (unless washed back into the water) and are ingested by grazing sheep, thus starting a fresh cycle.  

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: cleo on February 14, 2004, 20:48:30

EJ-I have just seen that bit on the beeb about liver fluke-it`s not really relevant to the way Tim and I grow it.

No harm in growing it in trays of compost and using tap water if you are uncertain.

Stephan.

Title: Re: watercress
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 15, 2004, 12:21:24

Thanks chaps.  Looking forward to picking my own watercress and having it crushed between 2 hunks of home made bread!  YUM!   ;D

Title: Re:watercress
Post by: tim on March 02, 2004, 06:48:12

Being a bit slow  this year - jumped the gun a little  = Tim

(http://home.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=40012b7e-6dc6-cb40-6f9d-2cc1993a613c&size=lg)

PS But it has been -8 for over a week!