Winter Cress - Barbara Herb [Barbarea vulgaris]

Winter cress is a biennial hardy and undemanding wild plant and is named after the patron saint Barbara, who is believed to protect miners and related professions. The species originally comes from Eurasia and, due to its robustness, now thrives in almost all of Europe. Winter cress can be used raw or steamed as a salad or vegetable and has a blood-purifying effect and is therefore used in natural medicine. The fresh leaves have a spicy, slightly spicy taste that is reminiscent of watercress, but less spicy.

General information
Plant family: Brassicaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Weak eater
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -15 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, loamy, humic, slightly acidic

pH value: 4.8 to 7.5

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 16-18 °C
Germination time: 7-20 days
Plant and row spacing: 15x20 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Chard, Strawberry, Spinach, Lamb's lettuce
Unfavorable mixed culture: Lettuce, Carrot, Rocket, Cabbage, Asian mustard cabbage, Horseradish, Watercress, Radish

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from January to March or in autumn from October to December.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from March to May.

General
Sow directly in rows.
Barbarakraut prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with slightly acidic, permeable, humus and loamy soil. Prepare the soil with some seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
Regular watering causes faster growth. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Barbarea vulgaris
English names: Wintercress, Yellow rocket
German names: Echte Winterkresse, Barbenkraut, Gewöhnliches Barbarakraut, Bärbelkraut
Portuguese names: Erva santa Barbara, Agrião de inverno
Spanish names: Berro de invierno, Berro
French names: Cresson d'hiver