Arugula is within the brassica family and is generally grown during the cool seasons of fall and winter, and is extremely easy to grow. Common arugula germinates in about ten days and is ready to harvest about five weeks later. Rocket or roquette arugula is commonly one of two types: wild Italian arugula (Eruca selvatica) and common arugula (Eruca sativa). Some common names for wild arugula are sylvetta, sylvetta rocket, wild rocket, wild rocket salad, and sand rocket.
Neither variety of arugula transplants well so be sure to sow seed directly into the soil where you want to plant it. Sow seeds directly in the ground broadcast the seed or sow in shallow rows three to four inches apart. Cover with about a half-inch of soil and keep the patch damp through the growing cycle. Arugula is ready to pick as soon as the leaves start to fill in and show their lobes, according to A Couple Cooks. Baby arugula is arugula harvested as a young plant: it has a fluffy texture and a mild flavor. Standard or mature arugula has tougher leaves and a very peppery, almost bitter flavor. In order to self-sow arugula, leave some flowers to set seed. Harvesting arugula is simple you can uproot the whole plant, pick individual leaves from the outside of the plant inward or leave the roots in place to sprout new growth.
According to gardenary.com, arugula has many nutritional benefits. It is full of iron and magnesium, and is an alkaline food that helps to maintain health PH levels in our bodies. Arugula is low in carbohydrates and sugars, and is a great immune system booster. It is also a major cancer-fighting food like other Brassicas such as kale, broccoli, and cauliflower. It has 27% more zinc than kale and three times more folate than kale.
Enjoy this simple recipe for arugula salad from A Couple Cooks that only requires 6 ingredients!