Raw materials for salad cress growing

The raw materials required for growing salad cress are pretty straight forward comprising of:

• Rape seed and cress seed
• Water
• Peat
• Fertilisers

Cleaned seed

At WS Bentley’s we receive cleaned and certified seed, delivered with certificates that validate any checks for harmful bacteria that have been carried out.

When the seed starts to develop a shoot it becomes known as ‘chitted seed’.

Our purpose built chitting room provides a clean and controlled environment in which to process the seed.

The seed is disinfected to kill off any harmful bacteria. This process also softens the seed coat but does not damage the seed itself.

Water

Water is an essential raw material for growing salad cress as it is required for photosynthesis.

Peat

At WS Bentley we currently grow salad cress in peat, which comes from unprotected bogs. However, we’re continually searching for an alternative, sustainable growing medium.

Fertilisers

Plants require a variety of nutrients so that they can grow and develop properly. We use fertilisers to provide the growing salad cress seed with all the nutrients it needs.

At WS Bentley we add various fertilisers to the peat which are designed to improve the quality of the salad cress we grow.

Please note: The high levels of hygiene employed at our premises, mean that we do not need to use pesticides in any shape or form.

For more information about the raw materials used in salad cress growing please call 01274 851214 or complete our online contact form.