Arugula Seeds Eruca Sativa 1000 Seeds Free Shipping!
Arugula is an awesome herb that adds a spicy kick to your salad! You can cut it in 20 days for baby leaves, or let it grow for 40 days to get mature ones. The dark green leaves form loose heads and taste best when they're about 2-3 inches long. To keep the harvest going, sow Arugula seeds every three weeks. Just a heads up, it self-seeds easily and can get a bit invasive if you don’t keep an eye on it.
This herb, which belongs to the mustard family, hails from the Mediterranean. Its leaves pack a peppery, mustard-like flavor and are loaded with vitamins A and C, plus they’re a solid source of iron. For centuries, people used arugula seed oil in aphrodisiac potions, and it also made for a tasty flavoring. Back in the day, Romans would serve a salad of greens that included arugula, and in 14th century Florence, vendors sold these greens as a topping for toasted bread. Nowadays, arugula is grown all over the globe, but it’s especially popular in Italian cuisine; you’ll often find it in fresh salads, pesto, or lightly sautéed.
Common Names: Rocket, Rocket Salad, Garden Rocket, Eruca, Rucola, Rugula, Colewort, Roquette
Latin Name: Eruca sativa
Species Origin: Mediterranean
Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Cool Season
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Seeds per Ounce: 20,000
Planting Method: Direct Sow
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height: 12 Inches
Color: Green
Bloom Season: Blooms Late Spring, Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Early Fall, Blooms Late Fall
Sowing: Once the risk of frost is gone, you can directly sow arugula in either full sun or partial shade, planting them 1/4" deep and spacing them 3-6" apart in rows that are 10" apart. To keep a steady supply, sow a new batch every 2-3 weeks until summer heat kicks in; arugula is tastiest when grown in spring or fall, as too much heat can make the leaves bitter. For a fall harvest, plant the Eruca Sativa seeds in late summer. Arugula also thrives in containers or can be grown throughout winter in a greenhouse or cold frame.
Growing: Arugula can handle light frost, but if a heavy frost hits, make sure to protect your plants. Keep the soil moist and add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. Keep an eye out for aphids and other pests.
Harvesting: You can start harvesting the first leaves about two to three weeks after planting, once they reach 2-3" in length. The smaller leaves are more tender and have a delicate flavor compared to the larger ones, which can be quite peppery and strong; cut the leaves just above the soil, starting with the outer ones. Once the plant starts to flower, the leaves might become too bitter to eat, but the flowers are edible and make a great garnish. The leaves lose their freshness quickly, so use them within about 6 days. Before storing, rinse them well to get rid of any sand and dry them thoroughly. They can be kept in the fridge until you're ready to use them.
Seed Saving: Keep a close eye on the Arugula seed pods as they mature, since they can burst open when fully ripe. Take the pods off as soon as they turn brown and are nearly dry, and let them finish drying in a safe spot; remember, you might need to cover them to catch any seeds that pop out when the pods explode. Clean the debris off the Arugula seeds and store them in a cool, dry place for up to four years.
