Eruca sativa

Eruca sativa

1/5

Rocket is an easy growing salad herb with serrated leaves and a slightly peppery mustard taste. Though it is a salad crop it is often used a garnish in Mediterranean cuisine. They are generally pest and disease free and can be harvested year-round.

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Summer

Fruiting time

Autumn

Harvesting

Leaves can be harvested throughout the year about four weeks after sowing. Pick leaves regularly, either treating plants as a ‘cut-and-come-again’ crop or pick a few leaves from multiple plants. Picking lots of leaves from one or two plants weakens growth. Flowers can be picked and used as well.

Propagation

Seed

Sow seeds in Spring to Summer, 6-8 mm deep and 15-20 cm apart. Germination takes 5-12 days.

Special features

Crop rotation

Rocket is a medium feeder and needs a moderate amount of nutrients.

Geography

Origin

Mediterranean

Natural climate

Temperate

Environment

Light

Partial Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Gravel, Loam, Sand, Compost

Soil PH preference

Neutral, Acid, Alkaline

Frost hardiness

Half-Hardy

Uses

Medicinal

Rocket is a pungent tonic herb and has a high vitamin and mineral content, most particularly rich in potassium and silica. Rocket tea is a mild stimulant and a cough remedy.

Edible

Leaves and flowers have a peppery flavour and are great in salads. The younger leaves are milder and more tender. Leaves can be lightly cooked, added to sauces, stir-fried or sautéed in olive oil.