His requirements: time period and site conditions
Rocket is frugal and tolerant of its location. It can be sown outdoors as well as on the balcony or window sill in boxes and pots. He has the following basic requirements:
- Period for sowing outdoors: from March to September
- Pre-culture on a moderately warm window sill possible from: January
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- Substrate: light to medium heavy, sandy-loamy, loose, humic
- Floor temperature: at least 15 ° C
also read
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Once everything has been prepared, sowing can begin
If you want to start with a preculture, choose a light and moderately warm window sill in your home. The rocket seeds are placed in a nutrient-rich herbal soil or potting soil, covered with a thin layer of soil and poured vigorously. After about two weeks, the first small seedlings are already visible.
Sowing outdoors can be done from March. If there is still extreme frost, the seeds or the seedlings should be protected with garden fleece after sowing. The seeds are embedded 0.5 cm deep in the earth. A distance of 15 cm is sufficient between the rows. Then the seeds are thinly covered with earth and poured on.
How much time does the rocket take?
The rocket seeds and the seedlings should be kept moist. The reason: The rocket is a shallow root that relies on a regular supply of water from above. The optimal germination temperature for the rocket is between 10 and 16 ° C. After a germination time of between 5 and 15 days, its seedlings see the light of day.
The harvest should generally be done before it blooms. Otherwise, its life force is mainly in the flowers, its leaves taste bitter and hotter and are also richer in nitrates. It is best to harvest the rocket 3 to 6 weeks after sowing.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to enjoy fresh rocket regularly from spring to autumn, you should repeat sowing every two to four weeks. In addition, it is advisable to just cut off the arugula that has already grown and not pull it completely out of the earth with its roots. The buying of new rocket seeds is increasing.
