- Botanical name. Erica sativa, Eruca vesicaria.
- Botanical family: Brassicaceae (other members of this family are kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and mustard)
When?
- Sow arugula seeds in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, usually 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring. Arugula seeds will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F.
- Set transplants in the garden 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost.
- Sowing depth: ¼ inch (.6 cm)
- Space between plants after thinning: 6 inches. Intensive spacing: Sow seeds lightly in a band 2 to 4 inches wide.
- Days to sprout: 5-7
- Grow arugula in temperatures ranging from 45° to 65°F
- Days to harvest: 40 days or baby leaves can be harvested 21 to 28 days after sowing.
- Make succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks
Where?
- Grow arugula is a good companion to other greens. Arugula has a shallow root system and can be grown between other members of the mustard family or under other leafy vegetables.
- Planting arugula in bands under or among slower-growing crops is a good strategy. Arugula is a good choice for intercropping with larger crops.
- Avoid growing arugula with peas, beans, or strawberries.
Growing Tips
- Water arugula regularly to prevent the flavor from becoming too strong or hot.
- In arid regions, use overhead irrigation to prevent the leaves from drying in dry heat.
- Add aged compost to planting beds before planting and again at midseason.
- Keep arugula plants cut back to about 10 inches tall. Arugula can grow to 24 inches tall but the leaves will be too bitter to eat.
- Cutting arugula back (as you would Swiss chard) will not hurt the plant; cutting arugula back will encourage new young leaves to grow.
- Once the flavor of the leaves turns bitter, pull out the plants and turn to new plantings.
- Pick young, tender leaves when they are when they are 2 to 5 inches (5-7.5 cm) long
- Use a pair of sharp scissors to snip off leaves 1 inch (2.5cm) above the soil.
- An arugula plant can be harvested cut-and-come-again four times before plants run to seed.
- Leaves that grow to more than 10 inches high can quickly become bitter and spicy hot.
- Pick new leaves from the bottom, outside of the plant. New leaves will sprout from the center crown.
- Wash arugula leaves by swishing them in a bowl of cool water. The leaves may require three or more washings to remove all traces of soil.
- If you want to refrigerate arugula, wash and dry the leaves thoroughly and wrap them in a paper towel or cloth then place them in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
- Arugula will keep in the refrigerator for just a few days.
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