Growing Rocket, also Arugula/Rucola

Eruca vesicaria : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P     P        

(Best months for growing Rocket in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-35 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce

Your comments and tips

09 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm not a rocket grower - maybe that is the variety. Maybe it is coming to the end of its growing cycle.
07 Dec 17, Bev (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Why did my rocket go straight to flower and seed after planting
10 Dec 17, Hamsa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When it gets hot, rocket goes to seeds, collect the seeds when they dry and sow them in autumn and you will have rocket in autumn, winter and spring
08 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably to do with the season (end of growing season). I have had coriander growing for the last 6-8 weeks or so - it receives plenty of water and the soil is fertile and it is going to seed now. Some plants only have a short life. Maybe plant it earlier next year.
30 Jul 17, Margret (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
good day, when does one harvest? and once harvested, one should sow a new batch? as replied to a question above you advise to let some go to seed - here in Durban we can sow most things through the whole year - thanks for your info - Margret
29 May 17, sarsha (Australia - temperate climate)
how long dose it tack for it to grow ,
30 May 17, Mike (Australia - arid climate)
At top of the page go to Veggies and herbs - pick rocket and your climate (temperate, cool tropical etc) and read up.
30 May 17, Sean (Australia - temperate climate)
Rocket grows very fast (like radishes) in good soil with adequate water. You could start harvesting after about 3 weeks from when the seedlings emerge.
19 Mar 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
A company called Seed Collection sells a lot of seeds. $1 a packet generally. Any thing from 20 to 400 seeds. $2 postage - free if buying $20 or more. The rocket at the moment is germinating in 72 hrs. Snow peas in 72 hrs.
28 Jan 17, Louise Caro (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The rocket planted at the beginning of January has flowered and doesn't have many leaves. None has yet been picked as it doesn't look ready. Is the time of year wrong? Or should I wait for the flowering to be over.It is in the same place in the bed as the lettuce that is thriving. Any answers - a learning gardener - very welcome. Thanks
Showing 21 - 30 of 125 comments

Should you let your roquet plants flower? How do you get them to keep sprouting new leaves? If they go to flower - how long does it take for them to go to seed? Do they survive beyond the flowering period?

- Lisa Hopkinson

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