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Growing Rocket, also Arugula/Rucola

(Eruca vesicaria)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  P P           P P P  

(Best months for planting Rocket in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)


  • Easy to grow.
  • Harvest in 21-35 days
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C.
  • Space plants: 15-20cm

Plant every 2 to 3 weeks for a continuous supply. Leafy green plant with lobed, dark green leaves. It has a slightly spicy, nutty flavour. The spiciness intensifies as the plant gets older.

Frost tender.

Keep well watered in well drained ground. Will go to flower rapidly in hot dry weather.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rocket

Use in salads and stir-fry

Your comments and tips

07 Nov 10 Anna (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Can I collect seed from flowering rocket to sow again this or next season? Harvest: Does rocket grow further after cutting leaves off? Thanks for replies! Anna

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See planting calendar for these climate zones

New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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