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.
Personality
Family
Brassicaceae
Flower colour
, Cream, Purples, White
Scent
Mild
Problems
Rocket is generally disease free but can be bothered by snails, slugs and caterpillars.