How to Grow Your Own Organic Rocket
Rocket (arugula if you’re reading from the other side of the pond) is a superfood vegetable (simply means it has more antioxidants) with vitamins C, K and it also is a good source of calcium. The peppery kick comes from the same chemicals that makes mustard spicy.
One of the quickest greens to grow, you can be harvesting within a month of planting, and it will keep on growing, if you leave the roots and inner stalks intact.
What you need to grow organic rocket
Rocket needs good rich soil and regular watering, to quickly grow from seed. Plant in full sun or partial shade, and keep rows 15cm to 20cm apart. Mist the soil lightly, to avoid washing the seeds away! Seedlings should appear within 10 days.
Thin the seedlings once they sprout, and use removed baby leaves in salads. You have to keep the soil moist to avoid bitter leaves, and water on hot days, so to avoid the plant flowering early. Organic gardening will attract birds and wildlife (like ladybirds) to take care of flea beetles.
When harvesting, use the ‘cut and come again’ approach: Snip the outer leaves first, but let the inner leaves continue growing.
- Read up on pet-friendly gardens for plants and mulches (like cocoa) to avoid
- Use humane non-toxic methods to deter slugs/snails
- For indoor plants and greenhouses, use Feather Friendly bird tape to stop birds flying into windows (avoid facing indoor plants to face gardens).
Where to buy sustainable rocket
If you can’t find sustainable rocket seeds locally, you can buy from Vital Seeds or Tamar Organics.
Ways to eat fresh organic rocket
Rocket should be avoided for people with kidney stones (due to oxalates) and people on certain medications (check paper inserts, as vitamin K can interact – mostly heart and diabetes medicines). And people with mustard or cruciferous allergies.
Young infants should not be fed high-nitrate foods (leafy greens, root veggies, celery, broccoli and green beans) also found in processed meats.
- Add to sandwiches (gives a mustard crunch for hummus or vegan cheese)
- Add a few handfuls to any hot soup, chilli or stew, just before you turn off the stove.
- Pile on top of a hot vegan pizza after cooking.
- Boil 200g of plastic-free pasta. Meanwhile, fry 3 thinly sliced cloves of garlic and a pinch of chilli flakes in oil over low heat for 2 minutes. Toss with drain pasta (including 2 tablespoons of cooking water), the garlic oil, and 2 large handfuls of fresh rocket. Garnish with the juice and zest of half a lemon, and sea salt.
