🌿 How to Grow Arugula (Rocket Leaves) from Seeds
Common Names:

• Hindi: रॉकेट लीफ / सरसों पत्ता

• Tamil: ராக்கெட் இலை

• Telugu: రాకెట్ ఆకులు

• Malayalam: റോക്കറ്റ് ഇലകൾ

• Kannada: ರಾಕೆಟ್ ಎಲೆಗಳು

• English: Arugula, Rocket, Salad Rocket

• Botanical name: Eruca sativa

1. Choose the Right Season

• Cool-season leafy green

• Best time to sow:

  • September to March in most Indian climates

  • Grows well in spring and fall

• Ideal temperature: 10°C to 25°C

• Can bolt (flower early) in hot weather

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Loose, well-draining, fertile loam

• pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0)

• Mix in compost or organic manure before sowing

• Avoid waterlogged soil — it causes root rot

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 2–4 inches between seeds, 10–12 inches between rows

  • Containers: Use 6–8 inch deep pots, sprinkle seeds thinly

• Sow seeds directly in final location (doesn’t transplant well)

• Lightly cover with soil and mist gently

4. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist, not soggy

• Water 3–4 times per week or when top inch dries out

• Avoid letting soil dry out during germination

5. Germination

• Germinates in 5–8 days

• Thin seedlings after 10–14 days, leaving best plants

• Use thinned seedlings in salads

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 4–6 hours of sunlight daily

• Can tolerate partial shade — ideal in warmer climates

• Prefers cool weather for best leaf taste

7. Fertilization

• Add vermicompost every 2–3 weeks

• Avoid high-nitrogen chemical fertilizers

• Homemade compost or diluted liquid seaweed works well

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Flea beetles, aphids, slugs

• Use neem oil spray + mild soap every 10–15 days

• Use netting or row covers if pests are heavy

• Harvest regularly to discourage pest buildup

9. Harvesting

• Ready to harvest in 25–30 days (baby leaves)

• For full-size leaves, harvest in 35–45 days

• Snip outer leaves first or cut entire plant 1 inch above soil

• Harvest in the morning for best flavor

10. Regrow Tip

• Arugula can regrow after cutting if roots remain intact

• Trim leaves and allow 1–2 regrowth cycles

• To save seeds: let plants flower and dry, collect seed pods

🥗 Health Benefits of Arugula (Rocket Leaves)

• Rich in calcium, vitamin K, and antioxidants

• Supports bone health and improves metabolism

• Aids digestion and detoxification

• Has anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting compounds