Growing Wild Rocket Salad from Seeds
Known for its strong flavour and superiority to the cultivated variety, wild rocket is an essential addition to salads and garnishes. This deep green, serrated foliage is not only easy to grow but also hardy to UK weather conditions, making it a versatile choice for gardeners seeking a continuous yield of fresh wild rocket salad. By selectively harvesting the outer leaves, plants will continue to thrive, providing an abundance of leaves from each rocket plant. Ideal for almost any space, indoors or outdoors, wild rocket salad seeds are ideal for gardeners looking to add a peppery kick to their salads and dishes all year round. Whether grown in small pots on a windowsill, or spread out over a vegetable patch, wild rocket is an excellent choice for adding robust flavor and greenery to your culinary creations.
When to Sow Wild Rocket
- Soil and Location: Choose a sunny spot for planting your wild rocket, as it thrives best in full sunlight. The soil should be fine and well-drained, enriched with organic matter to support growth.
- Seed Sowing Advice: Begin sowing wild rocket seeds from the last frost of spring through to late summer. Sow the seeds thinly, at a depth of 1/2 inch, in rows that are 12 inches apart. This sowing technique ensures adequate space for each plant to develop.
- Germination Temperatures: Ideal germination occurs within a temperature range of 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), which facilitates quick and uniform sprouting. Ensure the soil temperature is within this range to maximize germination success.
- Germination and Growth: Wild rocket seeds are easy to plant and sow, with seed to harvest times ranging from 4-6 weeks, making it a true all-year-round vegetable. Each plant produces an abundance of leaves, reaching a maximum height of 20 cm (about 6-8 inches) in a prostrate habit.
Caring for & Harvesting Wild Rocket Salad
- Thinning Seedlings: Once the seedlings have emerged and are large enough to handle, thin them to 9-12 inches apart. This spacing allows for optimal growth and air circulation among the plants.
- Maintenance: Keep the soil consistently moist and the area weed-free to promote healthy growth. Wild rocket is straightforward to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
- Harvesting: Harvest young leaves as needed by picking a few from each plant. This method encourages the plants to produce new growth continually throughout the season. To extend the harvesting period, consider covering the plants in autumn.
- Continuous Yield: With selective harvesting, wild rocket salad plants will provide a continuous yield. Just pick the outer leaves, and the plants will keep producing, allowing you to enjoy fresh wild rocket throughout the growing season.
