Arugula Seeds - Astro

Minimum Seeds per Packet: 500

Packet Weight: 2g

Planting Season: Spring, Fall

Sowing Method: Direct Seed

Seed Depth: 1/4"

Direct Seed Spacing: 1"

Soil Temperature: 40-55 ℉

Days to Sprout: 3-12

Mature Spacing: 4-8"

Sun Requirement: Full Sun, Part Shade

Frost Tolerance: Frost Tolerant

Days to Harvest: 21

When to Seed Arugula

Arugula is a fast-growing, cool season salad green that is often ready to harvest in just 30 days. It can be direct seeded or transplanted into the garden in early spring or late summer for a spring or fall harvest. Arugula can germinate even in very cool soils. It can be direct seeded as soon as the soil is workable in the spring. 

Where to Plant Arugula

Arugula will do great in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade, making it a great choice for intercropping between other, larger crops. It can grow in a wide variety of conditions but favors rich, slightly acidic soil. 

Growing Arugula

Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and one inch apart. Alternatively, broadcast the seeds into your garden bed for a more laissez-faire approach. As the plants germinate and grow, gradually thin them to four to eight inches apart. Mature plants will form a rosette of leaves. Arugula can be planted in successions every to two three weeks until about a month before your last frost date. Grow a slow-bolting variety into the summer until the plants become too bitter and then start seeding again for a fall harvest. Ensure your crops get one inch of water per week.

Harvesting Arugula

Arugula can be harvested at any stage of growth. Pick off the outer, tender leaves at the base of the plant or cut the whole plant an inch above the ground. Leaving the crown intact will allow it to resprout. Larger leaves tend to become tough and very bitter so be sure to harvest small ones.

Arugula is insect-pollinated, so different varieties should be separated from each other by ½ mile to ensure pure seed. It is also self-sterile (individual plants cannot pollinate themselves), so you’ll need at least five arugula plants to ensure viable seeds. A population of about 20-50 plants is better if you plan to save seed for multiple generations. Common arugula or rocket (Eruca sativa) is an annual, unlike many other members of the Brassicaceae family, and will bolt in hot weather even if it has not been exposed to cold temperatures. Wild arugula (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is an exception - it is perennial, and may not flower every year. 

Arugula will grow flower stalks similar to those produced by members of the mustard family. The seed pods will turn brown and become brittle when the seeds are ready. Once the pods begin to turn brown, clip the stalks from the plants (or just pull the plants up) and lay them out on a tarp somewhere protected from rain to finish drying. Some of the seed pods will shatter as they dry, so make sure to have something underneath the drying stalks to catch stray seeds. Allow seeds to dry out until they are too hard to be dented with your fingernail. Thresh the seeds by crushing the pods with your hands (wear work gloves) or by shaking the dry stalks upside down in a clean trash can or other large container, hitting the stalks against the sides. If desired, you can further clean the seeds by winnowing with the help of a fan running on low speed.