Salad Rocket

Rocket (Eruca sativa), also known as arugula or roquette, is a fast-growing cool-season annual from the Brassicaceae family. Its distinctive peppery, nutty flavour makes it a staple salad green, and even the flowers are edible and attractive to beneficial insects. It thrives in full sun to partial shade in moderately fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6–6.8. Bolt risk increases in hot weather, so it performs best when sown while temperatures remain moderate.

Growing

Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep into prepared beds, lightly raking soil over them. Germination occurs best when soil temperature is between 10–25 °C. Thin or space plants to around 15 cm apart. Sow short rows every three weeks for a continuous supply. Avoid sowing when daytime air temperatures regularly exceed 25 °C, as heat triggers rapid bolting.

Care

Keep soil evenly and consistently moist — irregular watering accelerates bolting. No feeding is necessary in moderately fertile soil, but a light liquid feed supports leaf production in poorer soils. Remove flowering stems promptly if leaf production is the goal, or allow a few to flower to attract beneficial insects and collect seed.

Harvest

Begin harvesting young outer leaves as soon as they reach 5–7 cm for baby leaf use (typically around 21 days from sowing). For full-size leaves, harvest at 40 days. Pick tender outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth and delay bolting. Flowers are also edible and can be harvested as they open. Leaves become increasingly pungent and bitter once the plant has bolted.

In the kitchen

Use young leaves raw in salads where they add a peppery, slightly nutty bite. Blend into a spicy pesto or stir through dips. Larger, more mature leaves stand up well to light stir-frying. Scatter flowers over salads for colour and mild flavour. Pairs well with shaved Parmesan, lemon, olive oil, and cured meats.

Storing

Store freshly picked leaves loosely wrapped in damp paper towel inside a sealed bag in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Do not wash before storing. Rocket does not freeze well; use fresh. For longer preservation, blend with olive oil and freeze as cubes.