Arugula Growing Guide

Are you looking for a flavorful and nutritious addition to your garden? Arugula might be just the green you're searching for! Growing arugula is easy - you don't need a lot of space. This easy-to-grow leafy green, also known as salad rocket or Eruca, belongs to the mustard family and adds a delightful peppery flavor to sandwiches, salads, and even pizzas. So, whether you're an expert gardener or just starting, this step-by-step growing guide will help you through planting, growing, and harvesting arugula.

So, let's get started!

Arugula: An Overview

Arugula (Eruca sativa), also known as a rocket or roquette, belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Arugula originally comes from warmer parts of Europe, like Italy, and places near the Mediterranean Sea, through Turkey, and into western Asia. It belongs to the mustard family, which means it is related to other common garden plants like broccoli, kale, and cabbage.

This cool season annual is known for its tender leaves with a tangy and peppery flavor. The leaves are like a deep salad bowl and can be 3 to 6 inches long. They grow in bunches. Arugula is quick-growing and can be harvested in a few weeks after planting. It is the best choice for home gardeners seeking a quick and rewarding crop.

Plant Types

Different varieties of arugula exist, including standard or wild types. Each type has different leaf shapes and intensities of flavor. Here are some common arugula types:

• Astro II: This one is a good pick if you like a milder arugula taste. The plant is ready in as little as seven weeks.
• Apollo: It is another mild variety and can tolerate warmer weather. The leaves are oval-shaped.
• Olive Leaf: Also known as Rucola Selvatica, a Foglia D'Ulivo by Italians, this wild arugula type has narrow, flat leaves with a spicy but not too strong flavor.
• Italian Rocket or Wild Italian Rocket: This arugula variety has finely cut leaves with a strong flavor.
• Red Dragon: This plant type is perfect for salads and has a mild taste. Its attractive, purple-veined leaves resemble oak leaves.
• Sylvetta: This arugula has small, narrow leaves and grows slowly. Its flavor is spicy.

These arugula varieties have different flavors and growing times. You can pick the one you like best!

Soil and Spacing Needs

Arugula is an easy-to-grow plant that doesn't fuss much about soil types. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. It likes to grow in nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. The best thing is that arugula can tolerate different conditions, so you can plant it in raised beds, regular garden beds, or containers. Before planting seeds, level the bed by spreading a 1-inch layer of organic matter or compost over the area and mixing it in.

When planting arugula, make sure to maintain proper spacing to allow for healthy growth and air circulation. Space seeds or seedlings about 6 to 8 inches apart in well-drained soil. Unlike its garden sibling’s broccoli and kale, which require a lot of space, arugula is a bit different. It can grow in a small space if you pick its leaves frequently. If you let the arugula plant grow fully, it can get bigger.

Common Pests and Diseases and Care

Keep checking on your arugula garden to spot common pests and diseases. Here are some you might encounter:

• Flea Beetles: If your leaves look like they have been shot with tiny holes, it might be caused by flea beetles. You can control them using row covers, sprinkling diatomaceous earth, or planting marigolds nearby.
• Slugs: During the night, slimy slugs can creep across your arugula plants, chewing large holes in leaves and leaving a slime trail behind them. You can pick them off by hand or use wool pellets.
• Cabbage Loopers: Search for large holes or skeleton-like leaves. On the undersides of leaves, you may also see yellowish eggs or dark green droppings. To fix this, you can remove them by hand, use row covers on your plants, grow companion plants like thyme, or spray a pesticide like Bacillus thuringiensis.
• Downy Mildew: You may find brown spots or specks on the tops and bottoms of leaves, along with mold underneath. Remove infected leaves or plants and water the base of plants rather than the leaves.

Growing Zones and When to Plant Arugula

Arugula can grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11. Like kale, broccoli, and other healthy greens, arugula likes cooler weather. But arugula is a bit different - temperature doesn't affect it much. It can grow well in both cold and hot weather. Arugula can tolerate more heat than other salad greens, and it can also survive frost as low as 40°F (4°C).

If you plan well, you can enjoy two arugula seasons: spring to early summer and late summer to fall. In spring, you can start planting as soon as you can work the soil. To keep getting arugula leaves regularly, plant more seeds every two to three weeks until it gets too hot in the summer or frosty in the fall. The arugula can tolerate a bit of frost and even a light freeze. Plant arugula where it gets maximum sunlight, like six or more hours every day. It can still grow in spots with some shade, but it won't do as well.

Fertilization Needs and type of fertilizers.

Arugula is a light feeder, and using too much fertilizer can result in excessive growth with a milder flavor. Before planting arugula, mix some compost or well-rotted manure into the soil. This provides the arugula with a good start with natural nutrients.

If you want to keep feeding your arugula as it grows, apply a balanced fertilizer every four to six weeks throughout the growing season. The EZ-FLO fertilizer injector will provide an easy way to feed your Arugula the nutrients it needs. Use water soluble fertilizer to fertigate through your drip irrigation system. It's like giving the plants a little snack to keep them healthy and happy.

Water needs and how to set up an irrigation system for the Arugula

Like many veggies, arugula needs regular watering to thrive and taste delicious. Its roots are near the surface, so keep the soil moist but not soggy. If the top inch of soil feels dry, it is time to water.

If the soil becomes too dry and the weather becomes hot, arugula may begin to produce seeds prematurely. To avoid this, water deeply and regularly during the summer. This prevents early bolting and allows you to enjoy your arugula harvest for longer.

Consider installing a drip irrigation system to supply water directly to the plant's base. It will minimize water contact with the leaves and reduce disease risk. If planting arugula in a garden beds or pots, water with ¼” soaker dripline at 6” spacing. The ¼” soaker dripline is flexible and durable. If planting in rows use the Drip Tape with 8” spacing. These products are available in our DripWorks kits, and the components will help you provide an efficient irrigation system for your arugula garden.

How to Plant Arugula

To plant arugula:

1. Start by making a shallow trench in the soil using the tip of your garden spade. This trench will show you where your arugula will grow.
2. Take the seeds from the packet and sprinkle them into the trench.
3. Leave space between each seedling, about 1/4 inch to 1 inch apart. If you want big arugula leaves, make more space, or remove some plants once they start growing.
4. Plant these seeds in rows. Keep the rows about 6 inches apart from each other.
5. After sowing the seeds, cover them lightly with soil. Don't bury the seeds too deep, as they need light to germinate. If they are buried too deeply, they won't be able to sprout. So, keep it light and watch your arugula grow!

Growing arugula in pots is also simple. Just fill a shallow container with soil, scatter the seeds on the soil, lightly cover them, and water every few days until you see sprouts. Place the pot in a sunny spot outside. While growing arugula indoors is not the best, you can still get a good crop on a sunny windowsill. So, whether you are growing it in your garden or on your windowsill, arugula is a flexible and tasty green to grow.

Life Cycle of the Arugula Plants

Arugula has a relatively short life cycle. The entire process from seed to harvest takes about 40-60 days. It all begins with tiny seeds that you plant in the soil. When given water and warmth, these seeds germinate and grow baby arugula plants.

 As they grow, the leaves become larger. In the early stages, you can harvest some leaves without harming the plant. This is called the "cut-and-come-again" phase, where you pick the outer leaves, and the plant keeps producing more. As the arugula grows, it produces flowers. After flowering, the plant produces seeds, and this is the last stage of its life cycle.

But here's the cool part – you can collect these seeds and start the whole procedure again! So, from seed to harvest to seed again, the life cycle of arugula keeps going, providing you with tasty greens for your salads and dishes.

When and How to Harvest Arugula

Arugula can be harvested sooner than other veggies, such as cauliflower or kale. You can harvest your first arugula leaves about 30 to 45 days after planting the seeds. In Australia and the United Kingdom, arugula is referred to as a "rocket" because it grows so quickly.

Here's an idea of when to pick arugula depending on its size:

• Microgreens: Harvest in around 14 days.
• Baby greens: Pick them in 3 to 4 weeks.
• Mature arugula leaves: Ready in about 6 weeks.

To pick the leaves, use sharp scissors and go for the young leaves that are about 2-3 inches long. Cut them about an inch above the soil. The best time to harvest is in the morning when the leaves are still full of water.

You can pick from the same plant up to four times before it starts making seeds. If the leaves grow tall (more than 10 inches), they may taste bitter, so pick the shorter leaves.

When you're harvesting, focus on the outside and bottom leaves of the plant. By doing this, new leaves will keep growing in the middle. After picking, wash the leaves in a bowl of cool water. If you want to harvest the whole plant, you can either pull it out or cut it just above the roots.

If you wait too long and the plant starts making flowers (bolting), you can eat the flowers but not the leaves. The flowers are bitter, so you can add them to a sandwich or salad for a peppery taste.

How to Preserve Arugula Leaves

If you want to keep your fresh arugula for a longer time, follow these steps:

• You can store fresh arugula in the fridge for up to 10 days. Wrap the leaves in a paper towel or cloth, put them in a plastic bag with holes, and store them in the crisper drawer.
• Another way is to store the greens is using ice cube trays. First, wash and chop the arugula, put it in the trays, cover with olive oil, and then freeze. Leave a bit of space in each cube for the greens to expand. During the winter, you can defrost and use these cubes in sautés, soups, and egg scrambles.
• For a tasty twist, mix arugula with young carrot tops. It adds extra flavor and sweetness to your dishes.

The Bottom Line

So, there you have it, your simple guide to growing arugula! From planting the seeds to enjoying the peppery flavors in your salads or dishes, growing arugula is an easy adventure. Just follow the steps we discussed above – plant the seeds, take care of them, and harvest those delicious leaves.

Arugula likes cooler weather, so it grows well in spring and fall. If your summers are too hot, you can try growing them indoors with a hydroponic system. This way, you can enjoy arugula all year round. Remember, it doesn't need much space, and you can even grow it in pots. So, go ahead, sow those seeds in the soil, watch them grow, and soon you'll be enjoying the fresh, peppery taste of homegrown arugula!

Meta-description: Are you planning to grow Arugula in your garden? From planting to harvest, check out this guide to growing Arugula, which will add a fresh and peppery flavor to your salads and dishes.