A rocket grows like a rocket! It’s so fast that just two weeks after planting, the leaves will be ready to pick for salads and sandwiches. It is certainly worth growing in the vegetable patch and as it self-seeds, once planted it is likely to always produce a crop.
The small, rough leaves of salad rocket have a mild peppery flavor which is delicious. It can be mixed with other salad greens or served alone.
How to Grow Rocket
Regular Salad rocket plants are widely available in nurseries and garden centers.
Wild Rocket is also available, but not as widespread. Seed packets of each are also available at garden centres.
Rocket
Eruca sativa Also known as: arugula, rucola, roquette
Rocket is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia and is a popular salad herb. since Roman times. It is often found growing wild in many European countries and other parts of the world including the southern USA, South Africa and Australia.
Step Mark each row
Line each planting row to guide where you will plant the rocket seeds. This makes planting easier and helps you distinguish the rocket from weeds.
From the packet, place the seeds into the plot thinly along the line. Place each seed 1.5-2cm into the soil, taking care to space each seed 3cm apart. A distance of 15cm between planting rows is best.
What environment should I grow rocket in?
You’ll want to make sure your plants are kept well watered, especially in the hot, dry weather of the summer months. If they are not kept with enough water, it will affect the taste of the plant and it will also affect the texture of the leaves. Rocket will thrive in full sun or a partially shaded area. If you start to experience a heat wave during the summer, it is best to give them a rest from the full sun by placing them in some shade, making sure they are well watered.
A rocket can run to seed. This can be caused by several factors. One is hot weather, so put the plants in the shade (another benefit of growing in pots) and the other, not enough water. Be careful not to over water the plant as it will remove the flavor from the leaves. However, it is important that it does not go dry. Also, if the plant starts to flower, simply pinch off the flower buds.
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