Arugula (Eruca vesicaria) is a fast-growing annual leafy vegetable and a member of the mustard family that is grown as a flavorful salad green. It has a somewhat tart and peppery flavor. The leaves are deeply lobed and reach around 3 to 6 inches long. They grow in rosettes. As a cold-season vegetable, arugula can be planted in the early spring or late summer.
Arugula also known as rocket or roquette, is a leafy green vegetable that adds a peppery punch to salads pizzas, pestos, and more. With its quick growing time and easy care requirements, arugula is an excellent choice for both beginning and seasoned gardeners. This comprehensive guide provides tips and tricks for successfully growing healthy, hearty arugula.
Choosing the Right Arugula Variety
When starting your arugula patch, the first decision is which variety to grow. Some popular options include:
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Astro A quick-growing mild variety perfect for baby leaf harvests Its versatility makes it a common choice for mesclun mixes
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Sylvetta A slow-bolting wild arugula with elongated leaves and intense, spicy flavor
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Roquette: An early-maturing traditional variety with medium green leaves and a mildly peppery taste.
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Ice-Bred: A cold-hardy variety that withstands frosts and light freezes, extending the harvest season.
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Bellezia: An upright varietal with disease resistance, especially to downy mildew.
Match the variety to your climate, palate, and planned use to select the right arugula for your needs.
When and Where to Plant
Arugula thrives in cool conditions, making spring and fall ideal planting times in most regions. In warm winter climates, grow arugula as a winter crop.
Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot in the garden. Arugula appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer areas.
Prepare the planting area with compost or aged manure to enrich the soil. Arugula prefers loamy, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.
Those in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10 can succeed with arugula. Adjust planting times according to your local conditions.
Direct Sowing the Seeds
Arugula grows rapidly from seed, making direct sowing a great option. Follow these steps:
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In early spring after the last frost, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows or broadcast across a bed.
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Cover with a light layer of fine soil or compost. Gently water to moisten the soil surface.
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Maintain even soil moisture, especially around germination. Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart.
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Make successive sowings every 1-2 weeks for continual harvests. Stagger plantings into fall.
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To grow baby greens, sow thickly and harvest leaves when they reach 3-4 inches tall.
Caring for Your Arugula
With proper care, your arugula will thrive:
Watering: Arugula needs consistent moisture for fast growth. Water at soil level when the top inch dries out. Avoid overhead watering.
Sunlight: Full sun is ideal, but partial afternoon shade prevents bolting in summer.
Fertilizer: Work aged manure or compost into the soil pre-planting. Side dress growing plants with a balanced organic fertilizer.
Temperature: Arugula grows best in cool conditions, 45-65°F. Hot weather causes bitterness and bolting.
Spacing: Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart. Tight spacing causes disease issues.
Weeding: Keep beds weed-free to eliminate competition for nutrients and water. Mulch also smothers weeds.
Dealing With Pests and Diseases
Arugula is relatively pest and disease resilient. Issues to watch for include:
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Flea beetles: Small jumping beetles that chew holes in leaves. Use row covers or diatomaceous earth.
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Cabbage worms: Green looping caterpillars that feed on leaves. Manually remove or apply Bacillus thuringiensis.
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Slugs/snails: Use slug bait or traps to control these leaf-munching pests.
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Downy mildew: Purple leaf spots caused by fungus. Improve air circulation and avoid wet foliage.
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White rust: Whitish-yellow leaf pustules. Remove affected leaves promptly.
Harvesting Arugula
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Begin harvesting leaves when they reach 3-4 inches long. Pick in the morning when crisp and hydrated.
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Cut outer leaves 1 inch above the crown using kitchen shears. Allow inner leaves to continue growing.
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Harvest individual leaves as needed for a cut-and-come-again crop.
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For full head harvest, cut entire plants just above the soil line once foliage fills out.
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Rinse leaves and pat dry. Store in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for 7-10 days.
With proper planting, care, and harvesting, your arugula will provide abundant tender leaves to enjoy in salads, sandwiches, pastas, and more! Follow these tips and tricks for your best arugula crop yet.
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Types of Arugula
The types of arugula vary in flavor, appearance, and more. Here are some favorites:
- Astro II is good for those who prefer a mild arugula flavor. This variety matures in as little as seven weeks.
- Apollo is another mild variety. It is relatively heat-tolerant and has oval leaves.
- Olive Leaf is better known by Italian speakers as Rucola Selvatica a Foglia DUlivo. This wild variety has flat, narrow leaves with spicy yet not overpowering flavor.
- Red Dragon is ideal for salads, with its striking purple-veined leaves that are shaped like oak leaves and have a mild flavor.
- Sylvetta is prized for being particularly slow to bolt. Its leaves are narrow and spicy.
Water
Like many vegetables, arugula needs regular watering for healthy growth and optimal flavor. It has a shallow root system. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, watering as soon as the top inch of soil feels dry. In dry climates, this might mean watering every morning. If you fail to water regularly, youll likely cause the plants to bolt and ruin the flavor of the leaves.
Growing Arugula From Seed to Harvest
FAQ
How to maintain an arugula plant?
What is the best fertilizer for arugula?
How do you keep arugula plants healthy?
Check your plants regularly for unwanted guests. Early intervention is key to preventing a full-blown invasion. Arugula isn’t a heavy feeder, but a little nutrition boost can help: A balanced N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer is your best bet. Look for organic options to keep your garden and your greens as natural as possible.
What are the side effects of Arugula?
Eating arugula can cause stomach discomfort, cramping, gas, and diarrhea. Although these side effects is more likely to happen in people who consume large amounts at one meal. Some people may be allergic to arugula or can experience an allergic-type responses such as sore throat, tongue or lips. All green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which may decrease the effectiveness of anti-coagulant medications. Individuals taking these medications should consult with their prescribing doctor before increasing vitamin K-rich food in their diet.
Why should you grow arugula?
From the tiny seeds to the lush green leaves ready for your salad bowl, every step in the growth of arugula brings its own joy. It’s not just about the end product; it’s about watching those first sprouts push through the soil, about tending to your plants, and finally, about harvesting your very own greens. The benefits? They’re huge.
Can you grow arugula at home?
Wrapping up our green journey, growing arugula at home has been nothing short of a leafy adventure. This peppery green not only spices up our meals but also our gardening skills. The satisfaction of crunching into a leaf you’ve grown yourself is unbeatable.