🥬
Arugula
Eruca sativa
Peppery salad leaves ready in weeks — bolts fast, sow often.
Sun
Sun spring/fall, shade summer
Water
Regular
Soil
Well-drained, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
10 cm apart
Days to harvest
25–40 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–11
Seasonal Calendar
S
SH
SH
H
S
SH
H
H
JFMAMJJASOND
Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Sow direct
Scatter thinly, cover with 5 mm of soil, water gently.
- 2
Water often
Dry stress makes leaves bitter and forces bolting.
- 3
Cut whole plant or leaf
Cut baby leaves at 8 cm, or cut the whole plant 3 cm above soil — it regrows twice.
Common problems
Flea beetle
Cover with fine mesh; damaged leaves are still edible.
Bolting
Sow in cool weather; skip mid-summer sowings.
Good neighbors
LettuceCarrotBean
Field tips
- “The flowers are edible and add a peppery bite to salads.”
- “Wild arugula (Diplotaxis) is slower to bolt and more punchy.”