Rocket Growing Guide
Rocket, also known as arugula or roquette, is a popular leafy green from the mustard family. It produces spicy, peppery leaves, is easy to grow from seed, and can be harvested in as little as a month. There are two main types: wild rocket (perennial, robust, strong peppery flavor, crops over a long period, even in winter with protection) and salad rocket (annual, delicate, milder, shorter-lived, flowers readily in hot weather). Both form compact, leafy plants suitable for small spaces and containers. Young leaves are mild and tender; older leaves can be lightly cooked. The flowers are also edible and have a peppery kick.
This guidance applies to the crop in general. Individual varieties and local conditions can differ.
Planting information
Sow seeds indoors or outdoors, in the ground or in containers, from spring through to late summer, or even later with protection. For continuous harvests, sow small batches of salad rocket every few weeks. Sowing indoors: Sow in February and March for early harvests, or August and September for winter harvests (keep in a greenhouse or protected location). Sow thinly in small pots or modular trays filled with moist, peat-free seed compost. Place in a warm, bright location (e.g., windowsill, propagator). Seedlings appear in days. Once robust with a few leaves, prick out into individual modules/pots if necessary. When young plants are about 10cm tall, move them outdoors (April to late summer) into containers or the ground. Can also sow in a greenhouse border in late summer, in shallow drills, then thin to 15cm apart. Sowing outdoors: Sow from April to early September, or for a further month under cloches/fleece. Prepare ground by weeding and raking. Make a shallow drill up to 1cm deep, water along the base, and scatter seeds thinly. Cover lightly with soil and firm gently. Allow 15cm between rows. Seedlings appear in days. Thin to 15cm apart when large enough to handle; use thinnings in salads. Protect young plants from slugs and snails. Sowing in a container: Use containers at least 30cm wide. Fill with peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Scatter seeds thinly over the surface, cover lightly with fine compost, firm gently, and water well. Young rocket plants grown indoors or bought can be planted outdoors when about 10cm tall, from April to early September. Harden off plants before moving outdoors. Plant into prepared soil. Space rocket plants 15cm apart and water in well. In autumn, plant in a greenhouse border to crop over winter. Rocket grows well in large containers (at least 30cm wide); use peat-free, multi-purpose compost and space plants 15cm apart. In hot weather, plant in a cooler, lightly shaded location to deter bolting and prevent wilting, and water regularly.
Harvesting information
Harvesting can begin about four to six weeks after sowing and continue from early summer through to autumn, and into winter with protection. Pick rocket as a 'cut-and-come-again' crop, taking a few leaves from each plant along the row to ensure consistent growth. Regular picking keeps growth young, tender, and tasty. Older leaves can be lightly cooked as a spinach substitute or added to stir-fries and sauces. The white, four-petalled flowers are edible and can be added to salads. Salad rocket provides fresh leaves for one to two months before flowering (bolting), after which plants should be removed. Wild rocket produces leaves for a long period, even after flowering.