Arugula
Eruca sativa
History
Arugula also know as Rocket is native to the Middle East and North Africa, and has been cultivated for thousands of years. The Romans would use it as a aphrodisciac and had become popular across the Empire by the 9th century being used in Roman salads. It wasn't until the 1600s when it was brought over to the Americas by the British and became one of the first crops to be grown by the Settlers. It wasnt until the 1980s and the rise of the food culture that it had became popular around the World.
Arugula is known for its spicy flavor similar to that of Mustard. Its leaves can be added to salads, stews, soups, and even as a topping for pizza. The leaves can be blended and added to a pesto and the seeds can be used for oils in a salad dressing. It can be harvested in as little as 2 weeks, but can take several months before it flowers and produces seeds.
Growing conditions
Sunlight
Needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Shade can help prevent bolting.
Temperature Range
45F-70F.
Soil Conditions
Loamy soil.
Water
1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Water the plants when the topsoil is dry to the touch.
Nutrients
10-10-5
a nitrogen rich compost can help encourage the growth.
pH
6.0-7.0
Plant care
Sowing Seeds
Plant seeds 1/2" deep, Arugula is fast growing and should be sowed in place to avoid transplant shock.
Space the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart, cover in straw to help hold moisture.
Germination
Seeds can take can take 5 to 10 to germinate
Once the seeds have sprouted and are above the straw thin the plants out giving them 3 to 4 inches of spacing.
Pruning
Pruning is not neccesary for arugula, but remove any dead or dieseases leaves from the plant and scrap them. If the plant is being grown for seed prduction thinning out the leaves will help with air flow and increase seed production.
Harvest
Remove any dead leaves from the plant and scrap them. Harvest the green outer leaves and keep the inner crown of the plant intact allowing for a come again harvest. If growing for seeds it can take several months before flowers begin to produce, stress can slow seed production.
Growing Tips
Arugula can be grown indoors in a container and has a quick harvest. Using an Aerogarden or a Lettuce Grow Farmstand to grow indoors can keep the plants stress to a minimum.
Garden plotter quick facts
Spacing
10" to 16"
Water needs
Moderate
Sunlight
Full Sun
A warm-season crop producing juicy red fruits.
Available through local listings
Farmers market
- Arugula
