Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Slow Bolt Arugula is also known as “roquette”, and “rocket” arugula in some parts of the world and is one of the fastest growing crops for home gardeners, maturing in only 40 to 45 days. Arugula is a leafy green vegetable with irregular, jagged-lobed leaves that grow in loose heads. These seeds are ideal for gardeners living in areas with hot summers since they are slower to bolt and are more tolerant to heat than other plant varieties. Slow Bolt Arugula seeds are slow to bolt and produce seed which immediately spoils flavor, color, and tenderness of the plant, making this an easy-to-grow variety for the home chef looking to use fresh ingredients. Not only good in a garden bed, but Slow Bolt Arugula also thrives in pots, planters, or as an indoor hydroponic crop too. Quick to mature into tender annual greens, this variety of arugula is best when harvested at about 2 to 3 inches tall when it will have a mildly spicy & peppery flavor. Allow the plant to grow to 4 to 6 inches tall, but before it begins to bolt, to have a more pungent spice to this green. The entire plant may be harvested, or individual leaves may be cut from the plant. The leaves are high in vitamins A and C as well as being a good source of iron. The flavor of Arugula leaves is peppery & sharp, similar to a mild horseradish but with a lovely hint of greens. It makes a delectable addition to salads and spring mixes to add a hint of unique flavor alongside less flavorful greens. This seed can also be used to grow microgreens!
NAME: Arugula (Eruca vesicaria sativa)
VARIETY: Slow Bolt
DAYS TO MATURITY: 40 – 45 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
SOIL: Well-draining soil with a pH 6.0 – 6.8
PLANT HEIGHT: 6 – 10 inches
SPACING: 3 – 5 inches
TEMP: 55 – 95°F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Starting arugula seed indoors is possible but not recommended, due to the small roots of the seedlings that are prone to ripping and difficult to transplant
Using a loose & fluffy seed starting soil mix that has been moistened but not soaked, start seeds indoors 1 week before your last local frost date
In a cell tray, place 1 to 2 seeds per cell and cover with a dusting of soil, watering seeds in generously
Once seeds sprout and true leaves show, thin to one seedling per cell
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
When transplanting, plant the seedling into the soil up to the base of the stem, spacing the plants 3 to 4 inches apart
Direct seed Arugula outdoors after temperatures have reached 45°F and all threat of frost has passed
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a prepared & appropriate soil bed
Water the seed in well and keep the soil moistened throughout the germination process, which takes 7 to 14 days outdoors
Once they show their true leaves and get to be a few inches tall, thin them out to 1 seedling spaced 3 to 4 inches apart
Arugula grows best in loose, fertile soil with good drainage and a pH between 6.2-7.0
Adding compost to the soil prior to planting will help provide essential nutrients and improve drainage
Prepare soil bed by removing rocks, roots and other debris
In the Spring & Fall arugula can tolerate full sun due to the cooler temperatures, but in the summer it is best planted in a partially shaded area or using a shade cloth
You can also start & grow arugula in large pots or containers
Sow every two weeks in succession for continuous harvest throughout the year
Harvest Arugula as early as 25 days by picking off the largest leaves at the base of the plant first, or wait to harvest the entire head at fully maturity in 35-45 days
The smaller leaves have a more tender texture and delicate flavor than the larger leaves, which can be quite peppery and intense in flavor
Arugula can tolerate light frost, but if heavy frost comes, provide protection for the plant with some fleece cloth, greenhouse plastic or row cover
Arugula flowers are also edible and can be harvested and used as a garnish
