Description

Peppery Passion in Delicate Leaves

Rocket arugula is the green for people who like their food to have personality. It grows bright green, deeply lobed leaves with a tender bite and a bold, peppery, mustard-like flavour that wakes up salads, sandwiches, and warm dishes alike.

With roots in the Mediterranean and a long culinary legacy (the Romans were fans), arugula has been loved for centuries for the way a single leaf can transform a plate. Today, Rocket arugula brings that same spirited flavour to Canadian gardens. It is fast, productive, and easy to grow.

Plants form a compact rosette (about 8 to 12 inches tall) and reach harvest size quickly. Harvest outer leaves continuously for weeks, or cut the whole plant at once. It thrives in cool weather, making it ideal for spring and fall growing.

Why Grow Rocket Arugula?

• Bold, peppery flavour: Spicy, complex, mustard-like bite
• Fast to harvest: Outer leaves in 20 to 30 days; complete plants in 30 to 40 days.
• Cut-and-come-again: Harvest outer leaves, and the plant keeps producing
• Compact & container-friendly: Great for beds, containers, and window boxes
• Cool-season champion: Best in spring and fall; tolerates chilly conditions
• Edible flowers: If it bolts, the blossoms are peppery and beautiful in salads

Growing Instructions

Days to Maturity: 30-40 days (outer leaves ready in 20-30 days)

When to Plant:

• Start 4-6 weeks before the last frost indoors, or
• Direct sow 2-3 weeks before the last frost
• Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest

Sowing: Arugula seeds germinate quickly. Sow shallowly and keep evenly moist. Germination is typically 5-10 days.

Spacing: Transplant or thin to 4 to 6 inches apart.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade. Afternoon shade helps slow bolting in warm weather.

Soil: Rich, well-drained soil amended with compost.

Water: Keep moisture consistent to keep tender leaves and achieve the best flavour. Mulch helps keep soil cool.

Feeding: Light feeder. Use a gentle, balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, or a slow-release fertilizer at planting.

Harvest:

• Pick outer leaves when they’re 3 to 4 inches long, leaving the center to regrow, or
• Cut the whole plant at the soil level when full size

Culinary Notes

Rocket arugula is a kitchen workhorse when you want fresh heat and brightness.

• Salads: Toss with vinaigrette; mix with mild greens to balance the bite
• Pesto: A bold alternative to basil pesto (great with walnuts or pine nuts)
• Pasta: Stir into hot pasta to lightly wilt while keeping the flavour
• Sandwiches & wraps: Adds snap and peppery lift
• Pizza: Add fresh after baking, or use arugula pesto as sauce
• Soups: Stir in at the end for a fresh, peppery finish
• Sautéed: Quick wilt in olive oil and garlic
• Flowers: Peppery garnish if plants bolt

Canadian Climate Notes

Rocket arugula thrives in cool weather, making it a natural fit for Canadian gardens.

• Spring: Sow early for late-spring harvests
• Summer: In heat, it bolts faster. Use shade and steady water, or pause and re-sow later
• Fall: Late-summer sowings often produce the most tender, flavourful leaves
• In milder regions, it can grow well into fall (and longer with protection)

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-11 (grown as a cool-season annual; prefers temperatures below 24 C