Your comments and tips

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.

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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

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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01 Jan 12, Jacqui (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have the same problem, did you find a solution??

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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

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