Common Name: Arugula ‘Rocket’ Scientific Name: Eruca vesicaria Life Cycle: Annual Description Detail: A fast-growing leafy green with attractive, deeply lobed leaves and a distinctive peppery, slightly spicy flavour. Arugula is an excellent addition to salads, sandwiches, pizzas and cooked dishes, and can be harvested young for a milder flavour. Days to Germinate: 5–10 days Bloom / Harvest: Approximately 35 days to maturity. Baby leaves can be harvested earlier, usually within 20-25 days of sowing. Harvest leaves when they reach approximately 10-15 cm (4-6") long. Germination Needs: Sow seeds 3-5 mm (⅛-¼") deep in moist, well-drained soil. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Cool soil and moderate temperatures encourage good germination. Lighting: Full sun to partial sun Watering Needs: Keep soil evenly moist, particularly during germination and hot weather. Avoid allowing plants to become stressed by drought, as this can encourage premature bolting. Starting Instructions: Direct sow outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. For a continuous harvest, make successive sowings every 2-3 weeks. Seeds can also be started indoors and transplanted while young. Care Instructions: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants consistently watered. Thin seedlings to allow good air circulation and harvest leaves regularly. Provide some afternoon shade during hot weather to help extend the harvest period. Difficulty Level: Easy Garden Benefits: Provides a quick crop of nutritious leafy greens and is well suited to vegetable gardens, raised beds and containers. Its small flowers can also attract pollinators if plants are allowed to bolt and bloom. Special Notes: Halifax Seed lists ‘Rocket’ as suitable for containers, with a mature height of approximately 10-15 cm (4-6"), a maturity time of 35 days, and suitability for both direct sowing and starting indoors. Tips For Success: Sow small amounts every few weeks for a steady supply of fresh leaves. Harvest young leaves for the mildest flavour and keep plants well-watered during warm weather. Remove flower stalks promptly if you want to prolong leaf production. Companion Plants: Lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, onions, chives, dill and peas.
