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

17 Dec 12, Ethan Embry (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Noel, It's a combination of the temperature and not enough moisture in the soil that makes them limp. If you water them in the late afternoon (ensuring there's no sunlight directly on them), they'll perk up by nightfall.
07 Jul 12, Ann (Australia - temperate climate)
I found that if you pick the leaves and leave them for a day in the fridge in a glass with the stalks in a little water they don't taste as bitter. Straight from the garden they are way too bitter but this way they seem to taste great. I do mix them with feta cheese, cucumber, pinenuts, apple, onion and capsicum (basically anything I have around at the time) all finely chopped including the leaves chopped and it makes a delicious side salad.
24 Jun 13, Shaun (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You actually want the bitterness in Rocket which is where it's nutritional value is found. Rocket typically has a buttery bitter taste and when combined with other vegetables helps enhance their flavour.
29 Mar 12, Andrew L (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Are there any herbicides I can use on rocket please?
31 Jan 12, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted rocket and my leaves are going red. The red seems to get more pronounced once picked. What could be causing this?
01 Feb 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Mine are doing the same. I haven't dared taste them yet. Some are growing normally but lots have turned red. I would guess some sort of stress has affected them.
04 Feb 12, Ali (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My rocket is red as well and is growing really slowly. I havent been able to pick any yet and I planted it end of november any ideas?
14 Jan 12, Kent (Australia - tropical climate)
I planted mine in October here in South Africa, our climate is very similar to Australia tropics. They were great for the first 2 months, they were ready for constant picking after week 2, we had rocket every day. (We planted 2 square meters, crowded) When summer started to kick in mid December they rapidly began to flower, we found some eggs on the leaves, which we washed off before eating. The leaves became stronger as it aged, at 2 months it became a little too spicy and strong for me. A week later we found caterpillars all over the leaves, we left them there, we're hoping that when they metamorph into butterflies they will move elsewhere. If the rocket dies, I won't be too worried, there are bound to be seeds waiting to be revived. The seeds are easy enough to propagate anyway. As soon as the weather cools down a bit, I will replant them, they grow rapidly and are 99% more economical and at least 50% tastier than store bought, even with their short lifespan taken into consideration.
23 Feb 12, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Kent Caterpillars morph into butterflies or moths, who in turn will mate and lay many eggs. They don't move away!! So by allowing the caterpillars to mature you are allowing the next population of caterpillars to increase, and they do so exponentially. Regards Mike
30 Dec 11, Daisy Lee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted some rockets in my garden. It was growing very well. Suddenly I noticed that the leaves have white lumpy spots on the under side. I dare not eat them. Can you please advise me what to do and what causes the white spots. Thank you.
Showing 71 - 80 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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