Introduction to Arugula Gardening
Arugula is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the family Brassicaceae, which includes other greens such as kale, cabbage, and mustard. It has a peppery flavor that is delicious when combined with other ingredients in salads or sandwiches.
When shopping for arugula, try finding younger plants with bright colors as they’re more tender and have less of an intense flavor profile than older leaves. The local farmers’ market or health food store are great places to source arugula.
When it comes to choosing a place in your garden to plant your arugula seeds, make sure you find an area where there is plentiful sunlight throughout the day but with some shade in the hot summer months. Plant your seeds 1/2-3/4 inches deep and at least 3-6 inches apart. Water your arugula seeds frequently until germination occurs (usually anywhere from 5-10 days). Once sprouts start appearing, thin them out so that each spout is around 6-8 inches apart from one another.
Arugula grows its best in loamy soils with good amounts of organic matter – consider adding nutrients by mixing compost into the soil prior to planting for optimal results. Make sure you are fertilizing during the growing season to help keep the leaves tender and flavorful. Keep weeds away so they don’t steal essential nutrients away from the arugula plants — hand pull any weeds growing around them if necessary! When harvesting your arugula leaves, snip off individual leaves rather than pulling entire stalks out of the ground — this will ensure new growths receive enough nutrients for continuous regrowth from that individual plant!
The Benefits of Growing Arugula
Arugula, also known as Rocket or Roquette, has a number of health and taste benefits. Consuming arugula as part of your diet can help increase your intake of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, C, and K as well calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Arugula is also a great source of plant-based proteins that are high in iron and copper. Arugula offers a unique flavor that allows you to experience the nuances within salads or sandwiches.
Harvesting Arugula – Timing Tips
Arugula can be harvested at any size but is commonly picked at smaller sizes for more tender leaves. Leaves should generally be harvested only after they reach three inches—this will encourage new growth in the remaining leaves and also translate into more yield per plant. Be sure to harvest no later than four to six weeks after planting in order to ensure the best tasting component parts; older leaves will become bitter with age. If harvesting sporadically throughout the season, snip off new growth from the outside edges so that each cutting encourages both sides of the plant to grow harmoniously rather than having one side produce significantly more than the other does.
Preparing Arugula for Growing – Tilling & Fertilizing
Before tilling soil for growing arugula, it is important to add organic matter like compost or aged manure to give nutrients for optimal growth – as well as reduce soil erosion by adding organic material back into your garden bed . In addition to adding organic matter fertilizer may also need be added depending on what type of soil arugula is planted in. This process should yield moist nutrient rich soil so that plants can absorb adequate moisture resulting in large well-formed leaves. Depending on size preferences when harvesting home gardeners can sow half inch deep in rows early spring through summer months where there is ample sunlight 6-8 hours per day; when sowing keep freshly seeded surface lightly moist but not soggy until established and then water deeply two times a week while avoiding over-watering which could lead to root rot.
Planning an Arugula Garden
Soil and Location Requirements: Arugula prefers well-drained soil, though it will tolerate a wide range of soils if necessary. It grows best in a location that receives full sun during the summer months. Additionally, the soil should be lightly tweaked with manure or compost for optimal growing.
Container Gardening: Arugula is actually an ideal plant for container gardening, as it does not require a lot of space to thrive; an 18-inch planter or larger should suffice. When choosing a potting mix to fill the containers with make sure it is one that contains peat moss and vermiculite to help retain moisture and provide good drainage. Water the arugula regularly, making sure to not over-water since this can kill roots and lead to rot.
Rooftop Gardening: Growing arugula on rooftops is totally possible with the right precautions in place for safety purposes. Before selecting plants for rooftop use, check with an engineer or horticulturalist to ensure that your rooftop can support its weight when fully grown; balconies or terraces may act differently under specific conditions than standard roofs do so double-check before starting on your project! Make sure you give your plants adequate sunlight and water them every couple of days depending on weather conditions. Topdress these gardens once every month with organic compost for healthy growth and nutrition needs; additionally, try growing other companion plants like cabbage and lettuce nearby which can help protect each other from certain kinds of pests and disease.
Starting An Arugula Garden
Starting an arugula garden from seeds or transplants is a relatively easy task that only requires dedication and commitment to providing necessary care for the plants. When starting from seeds, it is important to plant them at the right time of year which is in late winter or early spring. The soil should be thoroughly prepared before planting, adding organic matter such as compost or manure to promote healthy growth. The seedlings should be spaced three inches apart and lightly watered after planting. During its growing season, arugula must be kept consistently moist but not water-logged; otherwise, its leaves may become bitter.
Arugula can also be grown from transplants if desired; this option replaces the need to sow seeds with already-formed roots of an established plant. If doing so, pick a sunny area in your garden that has well-draining soil and set out your plants with ample room to grow—providing similar spacing as if planted from seed at about three inches apart. Keep the soil properly hydrated but not soggy as with traditional seed planting. Once the plants are settled into their environments, feed them every 3–4 weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer to help ensure they receive essential important nutrients they need throughout their growth cycle. Between each feeding, keep up regular weeding maintenance tasks within the area so it does not get overrun with weeds that would suffocate your arugula plant’s light source needed for photosynthesis and take away valuable nutrients away from other plants in your garden. With proper attention and care, you can look forward to harvesting arugula greens regularly leaving you with deliciousness!
Tips for Harvesting and Storing Arugula
Summer: Arugula is best harvested when it starts to bolt, meaning it begins to flower and produce seed. To harvest, pinch off the flowering heads of the plants at their base. Be sure to harvest before flowers have fully opened and are starting to dry out. To store your arugula harvest, wrap in a damp paper towel and place in an airtight container or plastic bag and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Fall: In cooler months (fall and winter) you can also start harvesting again. To extend the life of your arugula, clip off individual leaves as you need them rather than harvesting whole plants. This will lessen how quickly your arugula wilts. Make sure to check each leave for signs of damage from slugs or other pests before using them in recipes or salads. Before storing refrigerate the leaves just like in summer, using a damp paper towel or cloth and an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
Common Pests and Diseases to Look Out For
Arugula is a popular herb and many gardeners enjoy growing it in their gardens. It can be prone to several issues involving pests and diseases, however, it’s important to stay vigilant and use natural, organic solutions to keep them at bay. Aphids are small insects that suck sap from the plant leaves, resulting in distorted or yellowed foliage. Organically grown nettles tea diluted with water can help deter aphids from infesting arugula plants. Caterpillars may also try to feed on arugula leaves so you should inspect your plants often for any visible larvae or adult moths. Handpicking these bugs off your plants will help limit the amount of damage caused. Lastly, downy mildew can cause discolored foliage and is best treated by thinning out overly dense overcrowding of plants for better air circulation – encouraging strong air flow can drastically reduce the chances of an infection occurring from this particular fungus.
Creative Ideas for Using Arugula in Cooking
Arugula, also known as rocket, is a versatile and flavorful green that is excellent for adding to salads, sandwiches and other dishes. Although it can be eaten uncooked, arugula has a much greater depth of flavor when cooked gently, making it suitable as a side dish or even the star ingredient in an impressive main. To make use of its fresh taste and spicy bite, consider cooking with arugula:
1. Pesto – Arugula can be used on its own or combined with basil to make an herbal pesto sauce. It’s delicious served over roasted vegetables like potatoes and carrots or stirred into pasta.
2. Quiches – Combine cooked arugula with cheese and eggs for a creamy quiche filled with flavor.
3. Pasta Salads – Arugula pairs nicely with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and vegetables such as artichoke hearts for a light but savory pasta salad perfect for lunch or dinner.
4. Grilled – Grill arugula by laying it on lightly-oiled foil directly over hot coals for about 5 minutes per side just until wilted for an easy side dish that adds interesting texture to grilled entrees such as steak or pork chops.
5. Soups – Toss a cup of raw arugula into vegetable soups to give them an unexpected zing toward the end of the cooking time. This is particularly good in cream-based soups that require some added zip at the end (like cream of celery).
6. Pizza Toppings – Use cooked wilted arugula sparingly alongside your favorite pizza toppings before baking in the oven–it helps keep things light while also adding surprisingly intense flavor!
Conclusion
Arugula is a popular and easy-to-grow leafy green with a rich, nutty flavor that can be used in salads, soups and sandwiches. Arugula is an ideal crop for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. With the right tips, growing arugula can be an easy and ultimately rewarding experience.
For beginning gardeners, it is important to start small when first growing arugula, rather than trying to grow too much at once. Invest in the best soil and compost available and create raised beds for your garden, if possible. When planting your seeds, spread them out so that their roots will have plenty of space to take hold. Water regularly but not too heavily and make sure your plants get enough sunlight without becoming scorched by direct exposure to the sun’s rays. Make sure you thin out young seedlings as they emerge to avoid overcrowding your plants. Regular harvesting of outer leaves will help ensure healthy growth of the inner leaves–just don’t forget to rotate your crops!
For more experienced gardeners, augmenting your soil with compost tea or bark chips can help keep acidic soils at an optimal pH level for arugula growth. Additionally, companion planting with herbs such as oregano or basil can provide natural protection against pests or disease while adding another delicious flavor to your salads! Additions of nutrients like nitrogen also help promote health growth in all crops.
Finally, for both novice and expert gardener alike there are many delicious recipes that highlight the exquisite flavor of arugula –from avocado toast flavoured with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice to pesto pasta dishes loaded with grated parmesan cheese and seasoned pine nuts -the deluxe arugula gardening experience adds a whole new dimension of home-grown culinary delight!
Welcome to my gardening blog! I am passionate about plants and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with others. In this blog, I will write about everything related to gardening, from tips on how to get started to updates on my own garden projects.
