Rocket Runway - Eruca sativa

Rocket Runway - Eruca sativa

Rocket Runway is an easy to grow leafy vegetable producing an abundance of deeply serrated, dark green leaves with a deliciously peppery flavour. The leaves are ideal for adding to salads, sandwiches, wraps and pasta dishes. Fast growing and suitable for repeated harvesting, making it a great choice for home gardens and containers.

Packet Quantity: 200 seeds

Planting Instructions

Sowing Time:
All year round. Rocket is particularly well suited to the cooler months but can be grown throughout the year. In hot weather, provide some afternoon shade to help prevent the leaves from becoming overly strong and the plants from bolting.

Position:
Full sun to part shade. Choose a position with good sunlight and protection from intense afternoon heat during summer.

Soil:
Well drained, fertile soil enriched with compost or well rotted manure. Keep the soil consistently moist for tender, healthy leaves.

Sowing Depth:
5 mm

Spacing:
Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart. For baby leaf production, thinning is not required and seeds can be grown more closely together.

Germination Time:
6 to 10 days.

Harvest Time:
Approximately 6 to 8 weeks from sowing. Baby leaves can be harvested earlier.

Growing Tips

Sow directly into a well prepared garden bed or container and keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate. Rocket is fast growing and can be succession sown every few weeks for a continuous supply of fresh leaves.

For baby leaf production, sow seeds more closely together and harvest the young leaves while they are tender. For larger plants, thin seedlings to around 10 cm apart.

Keep plants well watered during dry weather, as inconsistent moisture can cause the leaves to become tougher and more strongly flavoured.

Feed regularly with a suitable liquid fertiliser to encourage healthy leaf growth.

Harvest individual outer leaves as required, leaving the central growing point intact. The plants will continue to produce fresh leaves after harvesting. Regular harvesting also helps extend the productive period.