Planting Arugula Seedlings for a Successful Harvest

When it comes to growing arugula, timing is everything. By planting arugula seedlings in your sunny garden during early spring or late summer, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest with minimal effort. In fact, these strong and vigorous plants may be ready to pick just 10 days after planting.

One key to getting the most out of your arugula crop is to skip the seeds and plant Bonnie Plants' arugula seedlings instead. This will give you a head-start on the growing season, allowing you to enjoy fresh, flavorful leaves in no time.

Arugula grows fast, but it's also important to keep an eye out for flowering signals that the season is ending. When this happens, you can replace your arugula with a warm weather crop or try cutting it back and eating it just a little longer. The bloom stalks can grow up to 36 inches tall and feature small white flowers on top.

Some gardeners choose to cut their arugula plants back to encourage another harvest, while others prefer to pull them up when the plant starts to send up a bloom stalk from the center. You can also continue harvesting the leaves until they become too intense in flavor.

Like leaf lettuce, mustard greens, and collards, arugula stretches skyward in hot weather, blooming and setting seeds. It will grow in a rosette about a foot wide and equally tall if you let it. Sometimes called rocket or roquette, arugula should be planted in the garden during early spring or fall.

To ensure optimal growth and flavor, make sure to preserve soil moisture by adding a layer of organic material like dried pine needles or dry grass clippings. Regularly feed your plants with a continuous-release plant food to encourage excellent leaf production. Water your arugula seedlings gently and keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season.

Before planting, mix compost or rich organic matter into your native soil to improve nutrition and texture. Plant your arugula 12-18 inches apart in a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Arugula grows well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens, making it a versatile choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

With proper care and attention, you can enjoy a delicious and flavorful harvest from your arugula seedlings. Whether you choose to add them to salads, sauté or steam them like spinach, or simply enjoy them on their own, there's no denying the taste and nutrition that arugula has to offer. So why not give it a try? Plant some arugula seedlings today and discover the flavorful difference for yourself!

Planting arugula seedlings