Arugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection. In hot weather, arugula will go to seed. Continue reading below to find out how to grow arugula from seed.
Latin: Eruca sativa (Wild Arugula is Diplotaxis tenuifolia)
Family: Brassicaceae
Difficulty: Easy
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season. Arugula tends to bolt in hot weather.
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
Zone: Hardy in all zones.
Timing
Direct sow every 3 weeks from mid-March to April and again in September for a fall/winter crop. Optimal soil temperature: 4-12°C (40-50°F).
Starting
Sow no more than 5mm (¼”) deep in well drained soil in full sun. Thin seedlings to 10-15cm (4-6″) apart in rows 45-60cm (18-24″) apart. Overcrowded plants will bolt earlier. Seeds germinate in 4-8 days.
Growing
Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. keep moist until germinated and then just keep the area weeded.
Harvest
Use as a cut & come again crop, harvesting with scissors. Baby leaves are mild and tender.
Seed Info
In optimum conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 1.2M seeds, per acre: 348M seeds.
Diseases & Pests
Flea beetles will cause numerous tiny holes in the leaves. If these appear, try planting a couple of weeks later next year, to avoid their laying cycle. Or plant under lightweight row cover.
