How to Grow Rocket

Overview

Rocket is a fast-growing salad leaf with a distinctive peppery kick that adds character to salads and pizzas. It is one of the quickest crops to grow, ready to harvest in just 4 weeks from sowing. Both cultivated (salad) rocket and wild rocket can be grown in home gardens, with wild rocket having a stronger flavour.

Health Benefits

Vitamin K for bone health: Rocket is an excellent source of Vitamin K, which plays an important role in bone metabolism and healthy blood clotting.

Folate and nitrates: Rich in folate (essential for cell health) and dietary nitrates, which may support cardiovascular health and exercise performance.

Glucosinolates from its peppery kick: The characteristic peppery flavour of rocket indicates the presence of glucosinolates, sulphur-containing compounds being studied for their potential protective properties.

Soil Preparation

Rocket is unfussy about soil but grows best in fertile, well-drained ground enriched with compost. A slightly shaded position is ideal for summer sowings to slow bolting. The preferred soil pH is 6.0 to 7.0. Rocket grows very well in containers, window boxes, and growbags.

Sowing & Planting

Sow seeds directly where they are to grow from March to September, in shallow drills 1cm deep, spacing rows 15cm apart. Thin seedlings to 10-15cm apart. Make small successional sowings every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply. In hot weather, sow in partial shade or use wild rocket, which is slower to bolt.

Care & Maintenance

Water regularly to keep growth rapid and leaves tender. Dry conditions cause the leaves to become excessively hot and bitter. Rocket needs no feeding if grown in reasonably fertile soil. Fleece can be used to protect early and late sowings from cold and to extend the growing season.

Harvesting

Begin picking leaves when they are about 10cm long, taking the outer leaves first and leaving the centre to continue growing. Regular picking delays bolting and encourages a flush of fresh, tender leaves. Once flower stalks appear, the leaves become very peppery, though the flowers themselves are edible.

Common Problems

Flea beetle creates tiny round holes in leaves, especially in warm, dry weather. Cover crops with fleece and water regularly.

Bolting is common in hot weather, causing plants to flower and leaves to turn bitter. Sow in partial shade and keep plants well-watered.

Slugs can damage young seedlings. Use copper tape around containers or organic slug pellets.

Companion Planting

Rocket grows well alongside lettuce, providing contrasting flavours in the salad bed. It has no significant plants to avoid and is useful as a fast catch crop between rows of slower vegetables.