Arugula
Arugula: 10-15 days to harvest, 5-7 days to germinate, 4-6 inches between plants, pH 6.0-7.0, hardy in zones 2-11. Fruit runs to about 10 g. Give it full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours) and 1 inch per week, consistent moisture water. It will crop in a container.
Sowing
Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in early spring or fall. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks. Self-seeds readily.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)
- Water
- 1 inch per week, consistent moisture
- Soil
- Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 4-6 inches
- Height
- 0-3 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Deep green with purple-tinged stems
- Size
- 10 g
- Shape
- Deeply lobed, oak-like leaves
- Flavour
- Peppery, nutty, and slightly bitter with a pungent kick
In the kitchen
Fresh salads, pizza topping, pasta dishes, pesto, sautéed as cooked greens. Baby leaves for mild flavor.
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Flea beetles, aphids, caterpillars
- Diseases
- Downy mildew, white rust (rarely problematic)
- Resistance
- Excellent disease resistance. Very hardy and pest-resistant compared to other greens.
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | June – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | May – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | May – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | May – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | April – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | April – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | March – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | March – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | February – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | January – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | January – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | January – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | January – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 0.742
- Fat (g)
- 0.0738
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 3.37
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 20.5
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.0401
- Calcium (mg)
- 14.2
- Iron (mg)
- 0.0332
- Magnesium (mg)
- 6.31
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 19.2
- Potassium (mg)
- 139
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.173
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Arugula?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other lettuce with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Arugula suits these too.
- Mizuna 18 days
- Red Baron Plus 19 days
- Red Kingdom 21 days
- Red Splendor 21 days
- Scarlet Frills 21 days
- Green 70 D Improved 21 days