Arugula
Eruca vesicaria
A Basic Growing Guide
Description
Arugula is a peppery relation to our peppery friend, the radish. And also like the radish, it is a super fast grower. We’re talking planting from seed and harvesting in under a month! It’s no wonder they call it “rocket” in the UK. Actually, that’s not why. It looks like they call it rocket because it’s derived from the French word “roquette”, which comes from the Italian word “ruchetta”, which comes from the Latin name for the plant “eruca”…which is the scientific name for arugula. So now we’ve just come full circle. Maybe it’s the other way around and our rockets in the sky were named after arugula? Wouldn’t that be interesting? I’ll let you google that one. I am so glad this little green grows so quickly because I love the zest it adds to salads, sandwiches, and my favorite: pear, gorgonzola, and arugula pizza!
Some Common Varieties
Rocket – Classic arugula with deeply lobed leaves and a bold peppery taste.
Astro – Milder in flavor, with smoother, less lobed leaves. Great for those who like a less spicy kick.
Wasabi Arugula – Extra spicy with a horseradish-like bite—great for adventurous eaters!
Arugula Through The Season
Planting Instructions
Light Requirements
Prefers full sun (6+ hours per day) but tolerates partial shade, especially in warmer months.
When
In Middle Tennessee, plant arugula in early spring (March-April) or late summer to fall (September-October) for best results. It prefers cool weather.
Seed or Transplant?
Direct seed in the garden, as arugula grows quickly and transplants can stress easily.
Depth
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
Spacing
Space plants 4-6 inches apart. For baby arugula, plant seeds closer together and thin as needed.
Growth Habit
Arugula grows in a low, bushy rosette with delicate, deeply lobed leaves.
Tending
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist—arugula prefers consistent watering to prevent bitterness. Aim for 1 inch of water per week.
Common Pests and Treatments
Aphids: Small, green or black insects that cluster on new growth. Spray off with water. Repeat every few days if needed. If pests persist, you can treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Flea Beetles – Tiny black beetles that leave small holes in leaves. The holes do not make the leaves inedible, but a severe attack can damage your crop. If they are causing more of a problem than you can tolerate, try floating row covers and apply neem oil if needed.
Common Diseases and How to Treat
Downy Mildew: Yellow spots on leaves. Ensure good air circulation by removing lower leaves and pruning/harvesting the plants around it.
Leaf Spot – Brown or yellow spots on leaves. Remove affected leaves.
Feeding/Fertilizing
Arugula thrives in moderately fertile soil. Too much nitrogen leads to excessive leaf growth with less flavor—use compost or a balanced organic fertilizer such as Gardentone at planting.
Pruning
No need to prune, just harvest the outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth.
Harvesting
When
Pick outer leaves regularly. Harvest before the plant bolts for the best flavor—leaves become spicier and tougher after flowering.
How
Use scissors or handpick outer leaves at the base, allowing the inner leaves to keep growing.
For a full harvest, cut the entire plant just above the soil line—it may regrow if the weather is cool.
Then What?
Store fresh arugula in the refrigerator for up to 10 days in a sealed bag with a dry paper towel to absorb moisture.
Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture can cause wilting.
Arugula Recipes
Easy Uses: For an arugula salad, I like using a balsamic dressing or Brianna’s Homestyle Poppy Seed Dressing. Toss it onto pizza or in your favorite sandwich.