Rocket Seeds

How to grow Rocket

Seed Sowing

Sow direct or in modules in March – April, August – September or under cover over winter in February – March. Sow multiple seeds per module. Direct sow into shallow drills 15cm apart thinning to 25cm spacing once seedlings are more established. Ensure a longer harvest window by sowing multiple successions a few weeks apart. Early sowings may benefit from fleece protection.

Transplanting

Plant out from modules once seedlings are established, spacing plants 25cm apart.

Plant Care

Keep the area weed-free and consistently watered during hot spells to reduce risk of bolting. You can mulch around the plants to keep in moisture and prevent weeds.

Challenges

Rocket is generally free from many pests and diseases but will benefit from being covered with a fine mesh to protect from flea beetles.

Harvest

Rocket is a cut and come again leaf and will keep regrowing after being cut back. Depending on the desired size of leaf, it can be ready to harvest as early as 4-6 weeks after sowing. Use a sharp knife or pinch off each leaf by hand.

Culinary Ideas

Rocket becomes more peppery in taste as temperatures rise. It has delicious sweet, peppery leaves that add a lovely flavour to a summer salad or on top of a pizza with a splash of balsamic vinegar. It’s also a great alternative to basil in a homemade pesto, perfect to pair with tangy parmesan and freshly picked cherry tomatoes.

Seed Saving

Sow a seed crop early to ensure plants have enough time to grow an abundance of leaves before flowering. Rocket belongs to the species Eruca sativa and will cross with all plants within it. If you want to save seed, ensure no other brassicas of this species are allowed to flower. Choose plants that are true to type, healthy and have shown pest resistance. Avoid early bolters.

Allow plants to flower and produce seed pods that will begin to dry. Cut the whole plant before the seed pods begin to open and spread out to dry further on a sheet in a warm dry place for at least a further week. When fully dry, the pods will shatter very easily. You can stand and stomp on the plants to break up the pods, then sieve out the debris.

Store in a cool dark place; seeds should remain viable for around 7 years.