Rocket

Rocket is a perennial wall-rocket native to Europe and western Asia, grown increasingly as a salad leaf and marketed as wild rocket or arugula. Its small, deeply lobed, dark green leaves deliver a notably fierier, more pungent flavour than common garden rocket. The plant is slower-growing and more compact than standard arugula but surpasses it in both heat and cold tolerance. It self-seeds freely and can overwinter outdoors under light cover in Nordic conditions.

Growing

Sow direct or in containers at a depth of 0.5 cm once soil temperature reaches at least 5 °C. Space plants 5–15 cm apart within rows set 15–20 cm apart. For continuous harvest, make successive sowings throughout the growing period. Seeds can also be started indoors at any time of year. Germination takes 10–14 days. No thinning is needed if sown sparsely.

Care

Water along the seed row at sowing and keep soil evenly moist during establishment; once growing vigorously, plants tolerate short dry spells. Apply a balanced liquid feed every two to three weeks to sustain leafy regrowth after cutting. Remove flower stems promptly to extend the harvesting period, though some plants can be left to self-seed for next season's crop. No staking is needed.

Harvest

Begin harvesting baby leaves from 21 days after germination, or leave plants to reach full size by 50–51 days. Cut outer leaves or shear plants to 2–3 cm above the soil; they regrow vigorously and can be cut multiple times throughout the season. Harvest before flower buds fully open for the best flavour. In Nordic conditions, plants often continue to produce into late autumn and can be harvested again after overwintering.

In the kitchen

Use fresh leaves raw in salads and sandwiches, or scatter them over pizza, pasta, and flatbreads just before serving to preserve their peppery bite. The spicier flavour of wild rocket pairs particularly well with aged cheeses, cured meats, citrus dressings, and roasted vegetables. Flowers are edible and make an attractive garnish.

Storing

Freshly cut leaves keep for up to three days wrapped loosely in a damp cloth in the refrigerator. For longer storage, blanch briefly, squeeze dry, and freeze in portions. Whole unwashed leaves do not freeze well fresh. Dried wild rocket loses most of its flavour and is not recommended.