Arugula is a fast-growing leafy green that adds a peppery, slightly nutty flavor to salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Highly versatile, it can be harvested young as tender greens or allowed to mature for larger leaves with a more pronounced taste.

Hardy and easy to grow, arugula adapts to many conditions and is perfect for gardeners looking for continuous harvests. Its rapid maturation allows for successive sowings to ensure fresh harvests throughout the season.

Companion plants like radishes, lettuce, and carrots grow well alongside arugula, promoting a balanced and productive garden.

Where can arugula be grown?

Arugula thrives in zones 3 to 9 and prefers well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is easily grown in open ground, raised beds, or containers.

History and Traditional Uses

Present in Mediterranean cuisine for centuries, arugula is prized for its distinct flavor and health benefits. Used as both a vegetable and a medicinal plant, it is recognized for its rich nutritional content and beneficial effects on digestion.

Information by Zone in Canada

Zones 8–9: Direct sow in early spring or late fall for cool-season crops.
Zones 5–7: Start indoors in early spring or outdoors as soon as the soil is workable; successive sowings recommended.
Zones 3–4: Direct sow in spring after the last frost, with light mulching to retain soil warmth.

How to Grow and Harvest Arugula

Planting: Sow seeds 0.5 cm (¼ in) deep and 2.5 cm (1 in) apart in rows. Thin plants to 10–15 cm (4–6 in) for mature plants.
Watering: Maintain consistently moist soil for optimal growth.
Harvesting: Start harvesting young leaves 20 to 25 days after sowing, or allow leaves to mature for a more pronounced flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage regrowth.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply

Bolting: Allow plants to flower and form mature seed pods.
Harvesting Seeds: When pods turn brown and dry, cut the stalks and place them in a paper bag.
Drying and Cleaning: Let dry for 1 to 2 weeks, then crush pods to release seeds and separate them from debris.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Seeds remain viable for up to 4 years.

Certified Organic by
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)