Growing Arugula: Tips for a Healthy, Flavorful Harvest

Choosing the Right Arugula Variety

If spicy greens thrill your palate, growing arugula is pure joy. Before sowing the first seed, pick a variety matching your taste and gardening conditions.

'Rocket', the classic arugula, offers peppery kick and rapid growth. My personal favorite, however, is 'Sylvetta', a wild arugula variety with deeply serrated leaves and a nutty, spicy zest.

Consider your climate: wild arugula tolerates summer heat and bolts slower, whereas common arugula thrives in cooler seasons. With summer temperatures here in Virginia regularly topping 85°F (29°C), wild varieties saved my salads from bitter disappointment.

When and Where to Plant Arugula

The beauty of growing arugula lies in its adaptability. In early spring, around mid-March, as soon as the soil reaches 40°F (4°C), I scatter seeds liberally across raised beds.

Arugula adores sunlight but prefers partial shade during hot summers. During blistering July days, light shade cloth shields my greens from excessive heat, preventing premature flowering or bolting.

"Provide slight shade in hot weather—your arugula reward is extended harvests and sweeter, more tender leaves."

Soil matters immensely. To ensure thriving arugula plants, cultivate richly composted, well-draining soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0).

The Arugula Planting Process: Step-by-Step

Planting arugula requires minimal fuss. Here's my tried-and-true, straightforward approach:

1. Rake soil smooth, incorporating a generous handful of compost per square foot (0.1 square meters).
2. Sprinkle arugula seeds evenly over prepared soil surface or sow thinly in shallow rows, about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) deep.
3. Lightly cover seeds with a dusting of soil and gently pat down.
4. Water gently, maintaining consistently moist but not waterlogged soil until germination (usually 5-7 days).
5. After sprouting, thin seedlings to approximately 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart, using baby greens harvested in thinning for early salads.

Caring for Your Growing Arugula

Water Wisely and Consistently

Healthy arugula grows fastest when soil moisture remains constant. I water regularly, typically giving an inch (2.5 cm) per week, unless rainfall covers this bounty.

Overwatering invites fungus and root rot; under-watering causes stress, triggers bolting, and imparts a disagreeable bitterness. Balance is the gardening law here.

Feed Moderately and Mulch Generously

Arugula doesn't demand much fertilizing. A once-monthly spray of gentle liquid seaweed extract makes my plants vivid and flavorful without overstimulation.

Mulch is a faithful ally. Apply an inch (2.5 cm) thick layer of organic mulch like straw or sifted compost to protect delicate roots, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Aphids, flea beetles, and slugs sometimes mar arugula's beauty. I've found insecticidal soap useful against aphids, while sprinkling diatomaceous earth around plants deters flea beetles and slugs without toxic spraying.

Most diseases, like downy mildew, are best prevented with steady airflow, appropriate spacing, and vigilant removal of infected leaves.

Efficiently Harvesting Your Arugula

Harvesting arugula exemplifies gardening satisfaction: within 4-6 weeks, I pick fresh leaves continually, pinching or cutting outer leaves and allowing the center to replenish.

Harvest young leaves for mild flavor, or allow maturity for bolder, peppery intensity. Frequent harvesting prolongs plant vigor and leaf production.

"In my own backyard beds, successive plantings every three weeks ensure an uninterrupted supply of peppery, vibrant greens almost year-round."

Storing and Enjoying Homegrown Arugula

Arugula tastes best fresh-picked, but excess can be refrigerated loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a sealed container for up to five days.

Besides its obvious role in salads, arugula's peppery character transforms risottos, pizzas, sandwiches, and even grilled meats. One simple pleasure: tossed briefly into pasta with garlic, lemon, and olive oil—spicily exquisite.

Growing arugula offers the home gardener a deep satisfaction: lush greens, peppery kick, minimal fuss. With well-draining soil, steady moisture, and a touch of sun, your arugula beds reward generously and quickly. Regular harvesting encourages continuous leafy abundance, and vigilance against pests means healthier leaves on your plate. Simple care, bold flavors—this leafy green deserves space in every garden. Sow again, harvest often, and savor the spicy bite of freshly picked arugula.