Arugula is also called “rocket” and it has rocketed into popularity in recent years as American palates demand more than plain iceberg lettuce in their salads, and even on their sandwiches.  More about arugula nutrition.

Tried arugula but didn’t like it? Too hot? In flavor arugula can be very mild to peppery sharp, depending mostly on seed origin. Select seed of a variety that pleases your palate. Too spicy for you – look for seed packages that state the plant is “mild-flavored.”

Name Nerd Shares

Arugula, Eruca sativa, is also sold as Eruca versicaria.   This vegetable goes by various common names, including salad rocket, roquette, rugula, garden rocket. colewort, roquette, ruchetta, rucola, and rucoli. I have even heard it called “horseradish leaf.” This last name is interesting because it is a kissing cousin to horseradish, both in the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae, the mustard family. But horseradish you eat the roots, not the somewhat hairy leaves.

Introduction to Arugula

This charming and bright green member of the mustard family is an annual, living for a few short months. It thrives during cool weather, so plant it starting in September and October in the Desert areas of the Southwest.

The creamy white flowers are edible, but once the plants start to bolt (send up flower stalks) they are at the end of their life cycle. Be sure to save some seed of what you grew because it will do best for you in your garden with your care next year.

How to Grow Arugula

Cool Season Grower

Arugula is relatively cold tolerant.  Mature arugula plants are hardy to around 18°F, but newly planted seed will need frost protection.

More about growing cool season vegetables.

Starting Seed

It is best to grow this vegetable from seed, it is a bit fussy about being transplanted. Soak the seeds overnight before planting outside for faster germination.

Arugula germinates best if soil temperatures are cool, from 40°F to 60°F. The plants grow best when soil temperatures are 50°F to 75°F, thus arugula grows best in cool weather, and appreciates a straw mulch to keep roots cool. It will survive higher temperatures but warmer season harvests will be spicy!

Soil

Arugula plants thrive in deep, fertile soil with ample organic matter. (like what is in the picture above.  Not most Southwest soils!)  The best pH is 6.0 to 7.5. Since most of us have not such good soil – know that it does grow very well in containers.

Light

At least 6 hours of full sun in winter. Partial shade can work in Lower elevations.

Water

As with virtually all garden vegetables, keep the soil moist but not soaking wet for best germination. Also keep it watered for milder flavor. Arugula needs steady moisture, particularly as the weather warms, to help keep it from starting to flower – called “bolting.”

Fertilizer

Best is a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10, for example). It’s a cool grower so once a month is fine to encourage steady leaf production. Do not fertilize during potential frost months.

More Vegetable Garden Help

May I recommend my book?  The Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Guide offers not just growing guides but some of the latest varieties – including ones specifically for raised bed and container growing. Price is what you would pay on Amazon – only when you buy from me you get a signed copy!

From the review:

“In this updated 2nd edition of Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening, you’ll find much-needed advice and practical tips on growing an edible garden, no matter which part of the southwestern US you call home.

Profits from the sale of this book go to the Arizona-based Horticulture Therapy non-profit Tierra del Sol Institute.

Pest Control for Arugula

In my Southwest Fruit and Vegetable Gardening revised edition I share this: “White flies may appear at the end of the growing season when plants are stressed. This is an indicator that it is time to harvest what you have left before the white flies spread through the garden. Flea beetles may also strike arugula toward the end of the season.

You can use floating row covers to control these pests, or harvest everything to discourage them. Do not compost insect-infested plants because unless you get your bin hot enough to kill any eggs you only multiply the pests for next year.”

Harvest Arugula

Arugula is cut and come again.  This means you don’t harvest it all at once (like a carrot).  Just cut what you need.  Young leaves are tender and mild, while older leaves are spicier and better for braising. Use scissors to cut the leaves at the base of the plant. Do not pull up the entire plant until the end of the season.

Arugula is tasty in salad, but don’t stop there!    Arugula pesto is sublime.    Or toss this peppery green in with stir fry or on top of home-made pizza.  More ways to use arugula is on Savor the Southwest.  

Thanks for reading –

Jacqueline

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