Growing Rocket, also Arugula/Rucola

Eruca vesicaria : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P     P        

(Best months for growing Rocket in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 21-35 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce

Your comments and tips

24 Jun 13, Liza (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am growing salad rocket and cultivated wild rocket, they get purple spot that goes brown, it infects only these 2 cultivara, I have been told it is black spot, and to spray bravo, it is not working, it is a purple spot not black, please help, I am desperate, keep on loosing my whole croop
11 Jun 13, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can i get some seed
13 May 13, May (Australia - tropical climate)
What makes Rocket leaves turn meldew-ish? Is it too much water, fertiliser or shade?
28 Feb 13, Liz (USA - Zone 10b climate)
My plants are getting spots on its leaves g Does anyone know why?
06 Feb 13, richard (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I usually just pull off the leaves as required. You will get more from the plant that way. If it eventually goes to seed, you can re-plant a new crop from these. In fact rocket usually self-seeds, so they will just come up by themselves. Older leaves are obviously more bitter - but I like that!
05 Feb 13, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
My rocket is ready to pick. Do I pull out the whole plant roots and all or just cut off the leaves? Excuse my ignorance! This is my first go at growing vegies. Regards Sandra
06 May 14, Delwen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can pick from the sides, but leave the leaves in the middle to keep them growing :)
05 May 13, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Sandra, even though your Q is from Feb with no other answers I hope you have found out in the meantime that you can simply pick off the outside leaves of your rocket as you need them.... they are very forgiving, and if you let them go to seed they will self seed and grow where ever they like.. a very handy vegetable to have.... Hope you are having fun in your veggie garden....Regards Jen
25 Sep 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Noel. Rocket is pretty hardy. The plants should pick up soon, if not, it grows REALLY easily from seed. And it self seeds well.
24 Sep 12, Noel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just started a new vegie garden and have planted both lettuce and rocket. Both the lettuce and rocket seedlings are limp. It was a hot day when I planted them, and I am wondering if someone could tell me if the temperature could be making them limp. I look forward to some advise.
Showing 61 - 70 of 125 comments

Should you let your roquet plants flower? How do you get them to keep sprouting new leaves? If they go to flower - how long does it take for them to go to seed? Do they survive beyond the flowering period?

- Lisa Hopkinson

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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