Guide for Propagating Rocket Seeds

Growing Rocket: A Comprehensive Guide

Rocket, also known as arugula, is a versatile and nutritious leafy green that can be grown year-round in many climates. Here's a detailed guide on how to grow rocket in different seasons and using alternative methods.

Growing Rocket in Different Seasons:

Spring Planting: Direct sow rocket seeds outdoors in early spring, in full sun or part shade. Cover seeds lightly with soil about 1/4 inch deep, spacing seeds 1 inch apart and plants 4-6 inches apart in rows 6 inches apart. Keep the soil damp but not overwatered. Rocket germinates in about 7-10 days and matures in 30-50 days [1].
Fall Planting: Rocket can also be planted in the fall, and is frost tolerant, meaning it can survive cooler weather and produce leaves with a milder, less bitter flavor than when bolted in heat. Sowing in the latter half of summer or early fall helps reduce bolting and daylength-induced flowering [2][5].
Summer Considerations: Rocket is a cool-season crop that can struggle to germinate in hot weather. To beat the heat, grow it in containers moved to shaded or cooler indoor areas. Using terracotta or plastic pots in containers requires careful watering management to maintain moisture. Late summer sowing usually helps avoid bolting, allowing the plant to produce tender leaves [5].
Wild Arugula: A related variety, wild arugula (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), thrives as a cool-season perennial from summer through fall, with a spicier flavor [4].

Alternative Growing Methods:

Container Growing: Because rocket has shallow roots, it can be grown in containers using standard peat-free potting mix. Containers allow for moving plants to shade or indoors to avoid heat stress, especially in summer. Terracotta pots require more frequent watering due to porosity, whereas lining with plastic can reduce moisture loss [5].
Succession Planting: To have a continuous supply, sow rocket seeds every few weeks in spring, summer (in shade/containers), and fall.
Pinching and Harvesting: Begin harvesting when plants develop small tender leaves by pinching individual leaves early to encourage further growth. Larger leaves can become bitter, especially when the plant bolts in warm weather [1].
Slow Bolt Varieties: Choose slow-bolt rocket varieties for summer growing to extend the harvest period without bitterness [3].

Summary Table:

| Season | Method | Notes | |---------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Early Spring | Direct sow outdoors | Full sun or part shade; 7-10 days germination; avoid overwatering [1] | | Summer | Container growing in shade/indoors | Prevent heat stress; water regularly; slow bolt varieties ideal [3][5] | | Late Summer/Fall | Direct sow or container | Frost tolerant; less bolting; milder leaves [2][5] | | Perennial (wild arugula) | Outdoor perennial | Grows summer through fall with spicy flavor [4] |

This approach allows rocket to be grown year-round in many climates by adjusting planting time, location, and growing methods. Using containers and selecting the right variety (slow bolt, frost tolerant) are effective alternatives for extending harvest and managing temperature stress.

After sowing, cover the seeds lightly with soil using the edge of a hoe or a trowel. Rocket grows in moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Sow rocket seeds thinly along the row, spacing them about 3cm apart. Rocket leaves are usually eaten raw, so no goodness is reduced by cooking. Rocket seeds are available from online seed merchants such as Thompson & Morgan, Suttons, and Dobies, as well as local garden centers or allotment shops.

Rocket is easy to grow in pots with peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Thompson & Morgan sells plug plants of rocket that should be hardened off and planted up immediately to avoid root disturbance. Remove flower stalks to prolong leaf production, unless you want to eat the flowers and seed pods. 'Wasabi' rocket can be bought from Thompson & Morgan and Crocus. Rocket can be sown between March and September, or into autumn with protection. Salad rocket can be bought from Thompson & Morgan, Suttons, and Dobies. Wild rocket can be bought from Thompson & Morgan, Sarah Raven, and Crocus.

In addition to growing rocket in soil, it can also be cultivated in pots, making it ideal for home-and-garden settings.
For cooking and health-and-wellness purposes, rocket leaves are generally eaten raw to maintain their nutritional benefits.
Incorporating gardening into one's lifestyle by growing rocket at home could lead to a more sustainable food-and-drink source and hobby.
A variety called 'Wasabi' rocket, with a unique flavor, can be found at Thompson & Morgan and Crocus, adding a component of fitness-and-exercise and nutrition to the culinary realm.