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
    P P P P P P P P    

(Best months for growing Rocket in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-35 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce

Your comments and tips

19 Oct 12, Brett Sydney Aust (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
THE WHITE LUMPS ARE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY MOTH EGGS, THESE TURN INTO SMALL GREEN GRUBS THAT YOUR GOLDFISH WILL LIKE TO EAT IF YOU HAVE ANY. aLTERNATELY YOU CAN COVER THE ROCKET WITH FINE NET BUT IT HAS TO BE LIKE REAL FINE, (or frost fleece would work too. Ed.)
06 Aug 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Those white lumpy spots are probably butterfly eggs, after they hatch you will probably start having a caterpillar infestation.
22 Oct 11, Grace Elliott (Australia - temperate climate)
I've never grown rocket before so didn't realise how quickly it grows. Mine has already started to flower so does that mean it is too old to eat?
01 Oct 12, Linda (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When the rocket starts going to seed, pick the seed heads and cook them in stir fries. The plant can grow very big by this method, producing more and more seed heads. We pick them when the flowers have just started to open. I don't like rocket in salads but it's excellent stir fried. In the cool regoin where I live, you can grow it all over winter like this. I do the same with various asian greens as well.
11 Sep 11, kim (USA - Zone 5a climate)
In late August I planted second crops of my early spring crops - rocket, lettuce, chard, kale. Worthy experiment? Any others I should have tried?
21 Aug 21, Kristina Garfinkel (USA - Zone 10a climate)
How did it work out?
26 Aug 11, Peter B (Australia - temperate climate)
I've got Rocket growing nicely in a large raised wicking garden bed but I have staqrted to see lots of yellowing leaves mainly around the base of the plants - anyone know why this might be? Too wet, dry, sunny, not enough food? I have been feeding with soluble fertiliser every 2 weeks. Maybe it's normal - It's my first veggie garden so not sure.
01 Jan 12, Jacqui (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same problem, did you find a solution??
02 Feb 12, Peter B (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry Jacqui, no solution, I just resow in an propagator (you know the Yates seed tray with the clear lid) every couple of weeks and replace them as they go off. hot weather sends them to flower but the next batch is ready to go seems the best solution, they grow very fast anyway. Cheers
25 Apr 11, shelley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi we had the same trouble with the small flies so we went to Bunnings and bought a fruit fly trap it was around $10.00 and hung it from our bean trellis and it works a treat, no more flies and we are happy to not have had to spray our vegie patch with chemicals. We did try a homemade non-chemical treatment but unfortunately it didn't work and burnt a few of the leaves.
Showing 81 - 90 of 125 comments

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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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