Arugula

Arugula: Your Zesty Garden Rocket!

Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! Are you ready to add a burst of peppery flavor to your plate and a super-easy-to-grow gem to your garden? Then let’s talk about arugula! This delightful leafy green, also known as rocket or roquette, is a true superstar for both novice and experienced gardeners. It’s fast-growing, packed with nutrients, and brings a unique zesty kick to so many dishes.

Imagine plucking fresh, vibrant arugula leaves right from your backyard, ready to toss into a salad, sprinkle on pizza, or blend into a pesto. It’s so much fun to grow, and the payoff is delicious. Arugula thrives in cooler weather, making it a perfect candidate for spring and fall planting. So, let’s dive into the wonderful world of arugula and discover why it’s about to become your new favorite leafy green!

Why Grow Arugula?

• Speedy Harvest! Arugula is one of the quickest greens you can grow, often ready for its first harvest in as little as 30-45 days. Talk about instant gratification!
• Unique Flavor Profile: Its distinctive peppery, slightly bitter taste adds a sophisticated edge to your meals that you just can’t get from milder greens.
• Nutrient Powerhouse: Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you; arugula is loaded with vitamins and minerals that are great for your health.
• Cut-and-Come-Again: You can harvest the outer leaves, and the plant will keep producing, giving you a continuous supply throughout the season.
• Pest Deterrent: Its strong aroma can actually help deter some common garden pests, making it a friendly neighbor to other plants.

How to Eat Arugula?

• Fresh Salads: This is the classic! Mix it with milder lettuces, add some sweet fruits, nuts, and a light vinaigrette for a balanced and vibrant salad.
• Pizza Topping: Sprinkle fresh arugula over your pizza right after it comes out of the oven for a fresh, zesty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the warm cheese.
• Pesto Perfection: Move over, basil! Arugula makes an incredibly flavorful and peppery pesto that’s fantastic on pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Add a handful to your favorite sandwich or wrap for an extra layer of flavor and a healthy boost.
• Wilted into Warm Dishes: Toss arugula into hot pasta, soups, or stir-fries just before serving. The heat will slightly wilt the leaves and mellow their peppery bite.
• Egg Dishes: Arugula is a delicious addition to frittatas, omelets, and scrambles, bringing a fresh and zippy element to your breakfast or brunch.

Growing Arugula

Arugula is an annual, meaning it completes its life cycle in one growing season, but it’s super happy to reseed itself if you let a few plants go to flower. It loves cool weather, so think early spring and fall for planting.

• Sunlight: Arugula prefers a spot with full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) for the best leaf production, but it will tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates where it can help slow down bolting (going to seed).
• Soil: This leafy green isn’t too picky, but it absolutely thrives in fertile, well-drained soil. Before planting, consider mixing in some lovely compost or other rich organic matter. This will give your arugula a fantastic head start and help it grow big and beautiful. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal.
• Planting: You can sow arugula seeds directly into the garden about 1/4 inch deep and a few inches apart. For a continuous harvest, plant new seeds every 2-3 weeks in the spring and again in late summer/early fall. If you’re looking for individual, larger plants, thin your seedlings to about 3-6 inches apart. For a “cut-and-come-again” harvest (where you snip outer leaves and let the plant regrow), you can leave them a bit denser.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially when the plants are young. Arugula tastes best when it grows quickly, and consistent moisture helps prevent it from becoming too bitter or bolting prematurely. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Fertilizing: Arugula is a fast grower and a heavy feeder of nitrogen, which helps with lush leaf production. If your soil isn’t super rich, a balanced organic fertilizer or a continuous-release plant food designed for edibles can give it a little boost. Always follow the package directions!
• Containers: Don’t have a big garden? No problem! Arugula is fantastic for container gardening. Just choose a pot with good drainage, fill it with a quality potting mix, and you’re good to grow. You can even grow it on a bright windowsill indoors during the cooler months!

Tips and Tricks

• Succession Planting: To ensure you always have tender, flavorful arugula, sow a small batch of seeds every 2-3 weeks in spring and again in late summer/early fall. This way, you’ll have a continuous supply of young leaves before plants get too mature or bolt.
• Harvesting: The best time to harvest arugula is when the leaves are young and tender, usually 3-8 inches long. You can either snip the outer leaves from the plant, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing, or harvest the entire plant at once. Harvesting regularly encourages more growth.
• Watch for Bolting: When temperatures rise and days get longer, arugula tends to “bolt,” meaning it sends up a tall flower stalk and its leaves become more bitter. You can still eat the flowers (they’re quite pretty in salads!), but the leaf flavor will be stronger. If your plants start to bolt, harvest what you can and either let them go to seed for next year or pull them and plant a new batch when it cools down.
• Pest Patrol: While generally hardy, flea beetles can sometimes cause small holes in arugula leaves. Row covers can help protect young plants, or you can simply accept a few holes – they don’t affect the taste!
• Mulch Power: A layer of organic mulch, like dried pine needles or straw, around your arugula plants can help retain soil moisture, keep the soil cool, and suppress weeds.

Arugula Cuisine

Arugula’s versatility in the kitchen is truly impressive. Its peppery zest makes it a fantastic counterpoint to rich flavors and adds a lively kick to even the simplest dishes. It pairs wonderfully with citrus, cheese (especially Parmesan or goat cheese), and nuts.

Here’s a super simple, delicious recipe to get you started:

Simple Arugula, Pear, and Parmesan Salad

This salad is a celebration of contrasting flavors and textures, perfect as a light lunch or an elegant side dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh arugula
• 1 ripe but firm pear (such as Bosc or Anjou), cored and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans (optional, but highly recommended!)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create a simple vinaigrette.
2. In a large salad bowl, gently combine the fresh arugula, sliced pear, and shaved Parmesan cheese.
3. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
4. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts or pecans, if using.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of peppery arugula, sweet pear, and savory cheese!

Nutritional Value

Arugula is truly a nutritional superstar, offering a fantastic array of vitamins and minerals for very few calories. Here’s a look at what 1 cup (20g) of raw arugula provides, based on USDA FoodData Central:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Arugula is particularly rich in Vitamin K, essential for bone health and blood clotting. Also, it provides a good amount of Vitamin C for immunity, and Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) for vision and skin health. Plus, it’s a fantastic source of antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds!

Summary and Conclusion

So there you have it, garden buddies! Arugula is a truly fantastic vegetable to add to your home garden. It’s incredibly easy to grow, matures super quickly, and delivers a unique, zesty flavor that elevates so many dishes. From crisp salads to savory pizzas and creamy pestos, its culinary uses are endless.

The joy of stepping out into your garden and snipping fresh, vibrant arugula leaves is something truly special. It’s rewarding to grow your own food, and with arugula, you get to experience that reward in just a few short weeks! So, whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting your gardening adventure, give arugula a try. You’ll be delighted by how fun and delicious it is to grow your very own peppery rocket! Happy gardening!

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as health, wellness or nutrition advice. Please see our full disclaimers here.