Are you growing watercress in North Carolina, but don’t know when the best time to harvest them is?
Harvesting watercress is not as easy as it seems.
Here’s why:
- Watercress have a very short window when they can be harvested and still taste great.
So if you harvest them too early they may not be ready and taste bad. And if you harvest them too late they may become infected with mold, fungus, insects, etc., and become inedible.
Today, I’m going to teach you the ideal time to harvest watercress in North Carolina:
- To Learn More About HOW to Grow Watercress, Check Out This GUIDE!
When Do I Harvest Watercress in North Carolina?
As you may have already guessed, there are two main factors that determine when you should harvest your watercress: the physical features of the watercress & weather (time).
Harvest Watercress if They Look Like This!!!
The physical features of watercress are what most gardeners commonly rely on to determine if they are ready to be picked off the plant or not.
In general, you should harvest watercress if they have the following physical features:
- The entire watercress is a solid red color. If the watercress is a lighter shade of red, it is not ready to be harvested
- The watercress is slightly soft. Too hard means it is not ready. Too soft means it is overripe (but still edible)
- Easily able to be deattached from the the plant. This means it has absorbed all the nutrients it needs and is ready.
Harvest Your Watercress During THIS Time of Year!!!
In general, you should harvest watercress:
- 65 to 85 days after starting watercress from seed
- 40 to 50 days after planting watercress in your garden
- 20 to 30 days after watercress first appear
And no matter what, you should ALWAYS harvest your watercress before the first frost of the year. Frost will immediately kill your watercress plant and make your watercress inedible.
For your reference, I have created this table for average frost dates for most major cities in North Carolina. If your city is not listed below you can find its Last & First Frost Dates HERE.
North Carolina Last & First Frost Dates
It should be noted that you should not overly rely on the first frost of the year. The average first frost of the year is only correct 30% of the time.
Instead, pay close attention to your local weather.
When you know a frost is coming you need to take action.
- If watercress are in pots, bring them inside
- If watercress are in the ground, cover them in burlap and hope they survive
- Pick all watercress. If they are not ready, place them in a brown paper bag and store them for approximately 1 to 2 weeks to see if they become edible.
If you want to learn WHEN to harvest ANY Vegetable in North Carolina, head over to HERE and just type in the vegetable you want to grow.
