Choosing the Right Soil for Your Arugula Plant: What You Need to Know

Arugula, also known as rocket or roquette, is a nutrient-dense leafy green that adds a peppery punch to salads, pizzas, pastas, and more. With its tangy, mustard-like flavor, it’s no wonder arugula has become a popular ingredient. If you want to grow your own fresh arugula at home, choosing the right soil is key to getting a thriving harvest. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about selecting the ideal soil for arugula.

An Overview of Arugula’s Soil Needs

Arugula thrives in loamy soil with plenty of organic matter like compost worked in. The soil should drain well while still retaining some moisture. Arugula prefers a soil pH between 6.0-7.0. It can tolerate different conditions, but amending the soil with compost provides the nutrients this leafy green craves.

When preparing an arugula bed, dig down at least 8 inches and loosen the soil. Remove any rocks or debris. Then mix in 2-3 inches of compost or other organic material like well-rotted manure. The compost enriches the soil with nutrients and improves moisture retention.

Why Proper Soil Matters for Arugula

Choosing the right soil for arugula sets the leafy green up for success, Arugula grows best when it has nutrient-rich soil that drains well Here’s why proper soil matters

• Nutrient absorption: Arugula needs nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients to thrive. Nutrient-poor soil leads to stunted growth.

• Root development: Arugula has a shallow root system. Dense, compacted soil restricts root spread and growth.

• Drainage: Arugula can rot in waterlogged soil. Good drainage prevents fungal diseases.

• Moisture retention: Arugula requires consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Soil amendments like compost or peat moss help retain moisture.

• Ideal pH Arugula grows best in slightly acidic to neutral soil. Extreme pH levels make nutrients unavailable for uptake by the roots

When you choose soil with the right structure, drainage, nutrients, and pH, your arugula will get off to a vigorous start. Keep reading to learn more about the ideal soil composition and amendments for arugula.

The Optimal Soil Composition for Arugula

Here are the elements that make up optimal soil for arugula:

• Loam: A balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay. Loam provides the right blend of drainage, moisture retention, and nutrients for arugula.

• Organic matter: Compost, leaf mold, peat moss, and aged manure contribute organic matter that nourishes soil microbes and provides nutrients. Aim for 5-10% organic matter.

• Aeration: Roots need air! Soil needs a loose, crumbly structure to allow oxygen circulation. Avoid compacted soil.

• Neutral pH: Test soil pH and amend as needed to reach the 6.0-7.0 range.

• Fertilizer: While compost provides some nutrition, arugula needs supplemental feeding. Use organic fertilizers like fish emulsion or compost tea.

• Water retention: Loam amended with compost, peat, or coir retains moisture well for arugula’s shallow roots. But drainage is still important to prevent soggy soil.

When it comes to purchasing soil, look for organic potting mixes blended for vegetables like arugula. You can also make your own loam-based vegetable garden soil. Just be sure to test drainage and pH before planting.

Recommended Soil Amendments for Arugula

Adding organic amendments tailors purchased or native soil into an ideal growing medium for arugula. Consider mixing in:

Compost

Compost feeds soil microbes, improves drainage in clay, adds moisture retention to sand, and supplies a balanced range of macro- and micronutrients. Mix 1-3 inches of finished compost into planting beds.

Aged Manure

Manures like rabbit, chicken, cow, or horse introduce beneficial microbes and provide a slow-release source of nitrogen and other nutrients. Allow fresh manure to age 3-6 months before using.

Peat Moss

Peat moss acidifies soil and holds up to 20 times its weight in water. Mix in up to 30% peat to improve moisture retention and lower pH.

Leaf Mold

Dry, crumbled leaves contribute organic matter and nutrients as they decompose. Leaf mold lightens heavy clay soil.

Worm Castings

Vermicompost contains watersoluble nutrients, beneficial microbes, and plant growth enhancers. Mix 1-2 cups per square foot into all soil types.

Greensand

This mineral amendment adds potassium, iron, magnesium, and other trace elements. It also loosens clay soil. Add 1-2 lbs per 100 sq ft.

With the right blend of amendments, you can transform any soil into an ideal growing medium for arugula. Just be sure to re-test soil pH after amending so it stays in the optimal range.

Choosing the Right Soil for Containers vs In-Ground Beds

Container gardening has become quite popular – and arugula grows well in pots. When choosing soil, there are some differences between containers and in-ground beds:

Container Soil

• Use a commercial organic potting mix, not garden soil which compacts.

• Opt for a mix containing compost and a moisture-retaining element like coir or peat.

• Soilless mixes provide aeration for roots but drain quickly – monitor moisture closely.

• Add extra perlite or vermiculite for improved drainage and airflow if needed.

• Fertilize more frequently as containers leach nutrients. Use organic liquid fertilizers.

In-Ground Soil

• Prepare existing soil by loosening, removing weeds/debris, and mixing in compost.

• Test drainage by digging a hole 12″ deep and filling with water. It should drain in 1 hour or less.

• Heavy clay soil benefits from amendments like compost, peat moss, leaf mold to improve structure.

• Sandy soil needs more compost or peat to increase moisture retention.

• Re-mineralize depleted soil by adding rock dust, biochar, greensand, etc to provide nutrients.

• Maintain fertility by top-dressing with compost and using organic fertilizer.

Adjusting soil composition may take more initial work for in-ground beds, but then they offer more wiggle room when it comes to nutrients and moisture. Container arugula depends entirely on the limited soil volume you provide. But with the right potting mix, you can grow container arugula successfully.

Ideal pH for Arugula Soil

Arugula grows best when soil pH is between 6.0-7.0. At this neutral to slightly acidic range, nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and iron are most available. How do you achieve optimal arugula soil pH?

• Test pH with a soil test kit or meter. Soil shouldn’t be too acidic (below 6) or alkaline (above 7.5).

• To lower pH in alkaline soil, mix in elemental sulfur, coffee grounds, pine needles, peat moss, sawdust or wood chips.

• If soil is too acidic, add lime or wood ash to raise pH. Dolomitic lime also adds calcium and magnesium.

• When amending soil pH, do it well before planting so the amendments have time to alter levels.

• After adding amendments, retest soil pH a few weeks later to check if you’ve reached the target zone.

• Maintain ideal pH by regularly top-dressing beds with composted manure or leaf mold.

With a little TLC to adjust pH, you can get your arugula soil into the ideal range for nutrient availability. Proper pH also benefits helpful soil bacteria.

Ensuring Adequate Drainage for Arugula Roots

Arugula thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Stagnant water or soggy soil will cause the roots to rot and invite fungal disease. Here are some tips for ensuring adequate drainage for arugula:

• Loosen compacted soil and break up any hard pan layers that restrict drainage below the surface.

• Grow arugula in raised beds, which provide better drainage than flat ground.

• Add amendments like compost, coir, peat, or perlite to improve drainage in dense clay soils.

• Incorporate organic matter to create small air pockets that enable drainage.

• Check drainage by digging a 12″ hole and filling with water. It should drain completely in 1 hour or less.

• Improve drainage in heavy soils by planting