How to grow rocket
Overview
Rocket (Eruca vesicaria) is a cool-season leafy green, grown for its peppery leaves, not stems, roots, or heads. It is a fast-maturing crop ideal for successive sowing. To ensure tender leaves, grow during the mild months and harvest young before heat triggers bolting.
Varieties
- Wild Rocket — Perennial variety with deeply lobed, more pungent leaves; slower to bolt in warm weather.
- Italian Rocket — Classic annual type with broad leaves and a mild peppery flavour; quick to mature.
- 'Apollo' — A slow-bolting hybrid with upright growth and smooth, dark green leaves popular in Australian gardens.
- 'Voyager' — High-yielding variety with good heat tolerance and uniform leaf shape.
Soil Preparation
Rocket prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Before planting, work in aged compost or a balanced organic fertiliser. Avoid heavy clay that stays soggy, as waterlogged roots lead to yellow leaves and poor growth.
Growing Guide
Sow rocket seed directly in well-drained soil enriched with compost. Plant seeds 5mm deep in rows 30cm apart, thinning seedlings to 20cm apart. Position in part shade receiving 4–5 hours of morning sun for best leaf quality. Keep soil consistently moist and sow a new batch every 2–3 weeks to ensure a continuous supply of tender leaves.
Sowing
Sow rocket seeds directly at 5mm depth, spacing seeds 2–3cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Germination occurs in 5–10 days in soil temperatures of 10–20°C. Thin seedlings to 20cm apart once they have two true leaves. Rocket is always direct sown; transplanting is not recommended.
Care
Feed rocket every 2–3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser (such as seaweed or fish emulsion) to maintain leafy growth. Remove any flower stalks as soon as they appear to delay bolting. Keep the bed weed-free to reduce competition and improve air circulation.
Companion Planting
Plant rocket with lettuce, beetroot, carrots, onions, and peas for mutual benefit. Avoid growing near other brassicas such as broccoli or cabbage, as this can attract shared pests like flea beetle and clubroot.
Common Pests & Risks
Flea beetles create small shot-hole damage on leaves; control with diatomaceous earth or neem oil. Aphids often cluster on new growth; blast off with water or apply insecticidal soap. Slugs and snails may also feed on tender leaves; use iron-based bait or hand pick in damp weather.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach 8–10cm long, using scissors to cut just above the base. Regular picking encourages new growth and extends the harvest period. Leaves are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in a sealed bag in the fridge for up to 5 days.
In the Kitchen
Use young rocket leaves raw in salads for a peppery kick; mature leaves can be wilted into pasta or stir-fries. Rocket also makes a fresh pesto when blended with garlic, nuts, and parmesan. Store unwashed in a damp paper towel inside a sealed bag in the fridge to extend freshness.
Troubleshooting
Yellow leaves: often caused by overwatering or nitrogen deficiency; improve drainage or feed with liquid seaweed. Tough leaves: result from heat stress or allowing plants to mature too long; harvest younger or grow in cooler months. Bolting: triggered by hot weather or long days; sow in autumn or spring and keep soil cool with mulch. Holes in leaves: typical flea beetle damage; use row cover or apply diatomaceous earth. White or fuzzy patches: downy mildew in humid conditions; space plants for airflow and avoid overhead watering.