Wild Arugula
Where to buy seeds
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Rocket Arugula is a Mediterranean leafy green that has graced kitchen gardens for centuries, prized for its peppery bite and remarkable resilience in warm weather. This heirloom annual reaches 12-18 inches tall and delivers harvestable leaves in just 40-49 days, making it one of the fastest greens to bring to your table. Unlike many arugulas that bolt at the first sign of heat, 'Rocket' stays composed through summer warmth, earning its reputation as an easy-to-grow staple for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Full Sun
Moderate
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18in H x ?in W
Annual
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The standout virtue of this cultivar lies in its stubborn refusal to bolt when temperatures climb. Where other arugula varieties throw in the towel during hot spells, 'Rocket' keeps producing tender, harvestable leaves throughout warm seasons. This durability, combined with its speed from seed to salad bowl, makes it a workhorse for continuous harvests rather than a single spring flush.
Harvest young leaves for vibrant, peppery salads, or let them mature slightly for cooked preparations like sautés and soups. The tender leaves shine raw in mixed greens, while older foliage brings bold flavor to pasta dishes, grain bowls, and warm preparations. Its quick turnaround makes it excellent for succession planting throughout the growing season.
Sow seeds directly into the garden as early in spring as soil can be worked. Space seeds thinly and plan for successive sowings every 2-3 weeks to ensure continuous harvests throughout the season.
Begin harvesting leaves 40-49 days after sowing, or when they reach tender, harvestable size. Pick individual outer leaves to encourage continued production, or cut the entire plant just above soil level for a full harvest. Young, smaller leaves offer the most tender texture; harvest in the morning for optimal flavor and crisp texture.
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“Rocket Arugula belongs to a lineage of Mediterranean greens that have been cultivated across Europe and the Middle East for centuries. This particular cultivar, 'Rocket,' represents decades of selection for the traits gardeners actually want: heat tolerance and reliability. As a warm-weather heirloom annual, it carries forward the traditional seed stock that has been saved and shared among gardeners since these varieties were first documented in Mediterranean kitchen gardens.”