Bear Valley watercress is the water weed that turns back time: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

Originally found along the banks of Bear Creek, the vitamin-rich medicinal qualities of Bear Valley watercress attracted seniors in search of better health to settle the neighborhood in the mid-1960s. Now grown in water gardens across the city, Bear Valley watercress is highly prized for it's ability to turn back time on aging and disease...

As illustrated on the Denver Neighborhood Seed Company packet shown above, the homes of the Bear Valley neighborhood arise symmetrically along curving streets much like the leaves along a hollow Bear Valley watercress stem. The plants contain significant amounts of iron, calcium and folic acid, in addition to vitamins A and C. Bear Valley watercress is a fast-growing semi-aquatic perennial that is member of the Country Club cabbage family.

Bear Valley watercress is also known as a stimulant, a great source of antioxidants, a diuretic, an expectorant, and a digestive aid. It is also widely believed to help defend against lung cancer.

Ever since a blogger on a neighborhood mommy group advised mothers to feed Bear Valley watercress to their children to improve bodily growth, the demand has far exceeded the supply at the Cherry Creek and Stapleton Farmers Markets.

Find the Denver Neighborhood Seed Company Seed Packet for your neighborhood: Alamo Placita arugula, Baker green peas, Belcaro broccoli rabe, Berkeley broccoli, Cheesman cucumber, City Park celery, Clayton sweet potato, Country Club cabbage, Cole pole bean, East Colfax okra, Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato, Five Points beets, Hale kale, Highland Hops, Lincoln Park Asparagus, Mar Lee sweeties cherry tomatoes, Marston crookneck squash, North Capitol Hill carrot, Park Hill pumpkin, Ruby Hill habenero, Sloan Lake purple pop top turnip, Stapleton Brussels sprout, Sun Valley horseradish, Sunnyside sunflower, University Hills parsnip, Valverde tomatillo, Wash Park condo corn, Washington Virginia Vale watermelon, West Colfax kohlrabi, Westwood zucchini, and Windsor cantaloupe.