Rocket is also known as salad rocket or mustard rocket. The cultivation is completely uncomplicated and can be done under glass all year round. This article tells you what to consider when planting arugula.
In a nutshell
- Rocket is very frugal
- little maintenance
- no cutting measures necessary
- Flowers can be eaten
- Self-sowing possible, planting is then superfluous
location
The salad rocket makes no special demands on the location. It must not be too wet or compacted, otherwise the roots will rot. Humus-rich soil and a sunny location promote growth. The vegetable grows equally well on sandy and loamy soils. It is also suitable for raised beds, provided they are not newly planted and are therefore very rich in nutrients.
Notice: As rocket has shallow roots, sufficient moisture or a dense mulch layer is important.
sowing
The planting of arugula can be done in rows, but also spread. Sowing in rows has the advantage that it is easier to remove weeds in between. The rocket is suitable as green manure when sown in a broad spread. Their leaves shade the ground, leftovers of the lettuce plants can be worked into the ground. Due to the short culture period, rocket is well suited as an intermediate culture. It can also be sown well between other vegetable plants before they get too big and cast too much shade.
rocket seeds
The following applies to row sowing:
- in the row about 2 - 3 cm apart
- Row spacing 15 - 20 cm
- Sowing depth around 1 cm
- After sowing, press down the soil well
- pour on
Notice: If sown by broadcast, the seed is worked into the soil with a rake and pressed well before watering.
time
You can plant arugula all year round. Outdoor sowing takes place mainly between April and September. If the planting is done continuously, fresh lettuce is always available. When grown in a cold frame or greenhouse, arugula can also thrive in the winter. Leafy greens are relatively insensitive to cold, they only need a little warmth to germinate. For this reason, it is also possible to grow the seeds in pots when it is warm and then place them in the greenhouse or plant them out.
maintenance
Arugula makes few demands. Since it is a weak feeder, fertilizing is superfluous. Sufficient water is important so that the leaves do not become too sharp. Watering should therefore be done regularly if the drought persists. A mulch layer not only protects against too much evaporation, it also keeps the soil loose and displaces weeds. Cutting measures or the like are not necessary.
blossom
The total cultivation period of the arugula lasts between 4 and 6 weeks after planting, after which it begins to flower. The bloom does not render the vegetable inedible, but it does make the leaves even more pungent. They are then better suited for drying and seasoning than fresh for a salad. The blossom of the rocket is edible and can simply be eaten as a decoration. After flowering, the plant forms seeds. If you collect the seeds, you can sow them again later, otherwise the vegetables like to sow themselves.
You should harvest the arugula before flowering. Otherwise it will be inedible.
harvest
The first leaves can be harvested when they are 10 cm long. They are cut fresh from the plant, and then more leaves grow back. If the plants are larger, all the leaves are cut off just above the root and used together. Since the vegetables do not stay fresh for long, only as much should be harvested as will be used. It doesn't matter if the plants stay in the bed a little longer.
crop rotation
Rocket belongs to the cruciferous family. Before and after her, no other cruciferous plants should follow on the same bed. This includes other types of lettuce as well as cabbage or mustard. Rocket is only suitable to a limited extent for mixed cultivation, since it has such a short cultivation period, it is more of a stopgap in the vegetable garden.
frequently asked Questions
What is arugula used for?Mustard rocket is mainly eaten fresh in salads. But it also tastes very good roasted or deep-fried. Dried rocket gives various dishes a pleasant spiciness. Another option is to process the vegetables into pesto.
What other salads goes with rocket?In mixed salads, rocket leaves go well with milder varieties, such as lettuce or lamb's lettuce. Rocket also tastes very good in a salad with oranges and sunflower seeds.
What diseases or pests can occur?Since rocket has only a short cultivation period, it is hardly attacked by diseases or pests. At best, downy mildew under glass or flea beetles can damage the rocket.
Are there different types of arugula?Although there are different types to buy, there is hardly any difference between them. If you would like to continue sowing your own seeds, you should prefer varieties that are resistant to seeds.