How to Grow Arugula
Arugula is a good plant to grow in the spring and fall, but it tends to bolt when it gets too hot. Before the plants go to seed, many pollinators are drawn to its abundant flowers. Because of its spicy, nutty flavor, this cool-season crop is popular with gardeners.
When to Plant Arugula: Arugula is typically planted directly in the spring after the risk of hard frost has passed, or in the fall, when soil temperatures start to drop.Requirements for Spacing Sow in rows at a depth of 14 inches and thin the spacing between plants to 10 inches.7 to 10 days for germination. In many locations, arugula will also self-seed.
Extra Factors to Consider Arugula bolts in hot weather. For a fall harvest, plant arugula early in the spring or later in the summer. The harvest season is extended by successive plantings. Arugula should be sown before it is grown for seed to give the plants enough time to produce a healthy canopy of leaves before high temperatures cause flowering.
Pests and diseases that affect a lot of people include flea beetles. Plants should be shielded from predation by row cover.
When and How to Harvest Arugula greens can be harvested as soon as seedlings appear in your garden. Many individuals eat arugula sprouts while diminishing plants. Throughout the season, leaves of arugula can be selected from the plants or the entire plant can be harvested.
Arugula is typically consumed as a peppery addition to sandwiches, pizza, and pasta dishes or as a fresh salad green.
Arugula leaves can be kept for seven to ten days in the refrigerator. Try making arugula pesto or salsa verde if you want to preserve these spicy greens.
How to Retain Arugula Seeds Life Cycle Annual Recommended Isolation Distance Divide varieties by 800 feet to a distance of half a mile.Recommended Population Sizes: Save seeds from at least five arugula plants to guarantee that they will germinate. Keep seeds from 20 to 50 plants when growing a variety over many generations. Save seeds from 80 plants if you want to preserve a rare variety’s genetics.
