How To Grow Arugula - Growing Arugula From Seed

Arugula can be easily sown from seed and you can begin planting as soon as the soil thaws in spring. Find a spot in full sun or partial shade, and sow seeds 1/4-inch-deep in rows 10 inches apart, leaving about an inch between each. If you prefer, you can also broadcast seeds and thin later to 3 or 4 inches apart.

How long does it take to grow arugula from seed?

Your arugula should be full grown and ready to harvest in about four to seven weeks, depending on the variety. The younger the leaves, the more tender and sweet they will be, so don't wait too long to start picking them.

How do you start arugula from seed?

How to Plant Arugula

Plant ¼-inch deep and about 1 inch apart in rows 10 inches apart. Alternatively, broadcast arugula seeds alone or mix with other salad greens.
Seeds germinate in about a week (or slightly longer in cold soil). ...
Sow new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks for a continuous harvest later on!

Is arugula hard to grow?

Like most greens, it's difficult to grow arugula during the heat of summer. ... As leafy greens they have less need for full sun and will even grow in partial shade or where tall plants create shade.

Does arugula come back every year?

Arugula will grow back once cut, so don't pull the stems. ... The stems can be chopped and used to make a pesto. Arugula is an annual plant and will need to be planted year after year, which means you'll get plenty of practice at least!

What can I plant next to Arugula?

Arugula Good companion plant with bush beans, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dill, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onion, potato, rosemary, spinach, and thyme; but not with strawberries. This is a cool weather plant that doesn't grow in very hot conditions.

How do you know when arugula is ready to harvest?

Harvest arugula when the leaves are big enough to eat. Harvest leaves one at a time cut-and-come-again or cut away the entire head. Arugula is a fast-growing cool-season salad green. It is ready for harvest 30 to 40 days after sowing.

How many arugula seeds are in a hole?

In general, two to three seeds should be planted per hole. Seeds do not have 100% germination rates, so not every seed planted will sprout. Overseeding holes, cells, or pots will help ensure that the number of plants you desire will grow (or more!).

Can you eat arugula after it flowers?

Arugula flower buds and flowers are edible, and the petals are particularly good when snipped into summer salads. I pull up or turn under bolted arugula plants in spring, leaving behind at least one pair of plants to produce seeds for my fall crop.

Do arugula seeds need light to germinate?

Cover lightly with soil, the arugula seeds need light to germinate. If they are deeply buried, they will not germinate.

Does arugula reseed itself?

As the plant grows it may sprout a few flowers; let these grow and die – they will continually reseed the arugula. ... If you don't want to wait for the plant to bolt and go to seed, buy a packet of seeds and continually reseed.

Is Arugula a perennial?

Sylvetta, the perennial arugula.

Does arugula need to be thinned?

Arugula seeds generally germinate about a week after planting, so when seedlings reach 1 inch tall, thin them out so that the plants are spaced 3 to 4 inches apart. To thin them, simply cut off the extra plants at the base with a pair of scissors.

What can you not plant near arugula?

Plants You Should Avoid Growing With Arugula

Avoid planting tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, potatoes, and strawberries with arugula plants. As they are somewhat invasive and might hamper the growth of the plant.

How do you keep arugula from bolting?

Some plants just don't do well sown in spring. Many salad brassicas fall into this category: Chinese cabbage (pak choi), mizuna and arugula are good examples which are all best sown in mid to late summer. Lettuces can be kept from bolting by regularly picking the outer leaves, keeping them from maturing properly.

How do you harvest arugula without killing the plant?

How to harvest arugula without killing the plant. If you want to harvest baby arugula or keep your plants alive as long as possible, the best way to harvest is to pick individual leaves or practice “cut and come again” harvesting.

Can I plant arugula next to tomatoes?

Basil: Growing tomatoes and basil together increases the vigor and flavor of both crops. Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula: These are also helpful crops for tomatoes. They stay fairly small, and will grow better in the heat of summer when shaded by the growing tomato plants.

What temperature can arugula tolerate?

Grow arugula in temperatures ranging from 45° to 65°F (10-18°C). For best flavor and to avoid bolting, plant arugula so that it comes to harvest in cool weather.

What do you do when arugula goes to seed?

It is best to replant a fresh row of seeds every couple of weeks. Arugula - like lettuce, it can be grown from transplants or from seeds. It is best to plant it regularly as it does not grow back very well. Its flowers are edible, and can be a nice peppery additions to salads, sauces, and grilled fish.

What do I do with a lot of arugula?

Here are just a few ways that I use arugula in my kitchen.

Salads. On its own or mixed in with other greens, arugula makes a great salad. ...
On pizza. ...
Toss into soups. ...
Toss into pasta. ...
With eggs. ...
Sandwiches. ...
Grains. ...
Roasted Vegetables.

Do you eat arugula stems?

Arugula is described as having a nutty and peppery flavor. It is used in salads. The leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds are all edible. It is a good source of vitamins A and C, which are important for eye health.