Arugula is a salad green and can be grown as an annual. Although it’s easily grown throughout the United States as a cool-season crop in outdoor gardens, it also can be grown indoors year round for harvest as a winter crop. The leaves are edible, but the seeds are toxic to humans and animals.
The seeds contain a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even death in very small amounts. Ingestion of raw or undercooked seeds can lead to severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock and death.
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When should I start arugula indoors?
As early as 8 weeks before the last frost in the spring, direct seed the plant. Light frost and cold soil will not harm the seeds. Start indoors 12 to 8 weeks before the last frost or sow 2 weeks before the first frost.
How many hours of light does arugula need?
It prefers acidic soil with a pH between 6 and 7. If you want the best results, plant in a spot that gets more than 6 hours of sunlight. Arugula will grow in partial sun, but not as much as other types of plants. Arugulas can be grown from seed, cuttings, or transplants. Seed is the easiest way to get started, as it is easy to germinate, and the seeds are readily available at most garden centers and nurseries.
Cutting or transplanting is a more labor-intensive and time-consuming process, however, so you may want to consider this option if you have the time and patience to do it yourself. Cut the plant from the parent plant and place it into a pot or container that is large enough to hold the entire plant. The plant should be at least 6 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide, depending on the type of plant you are growing.
Place the pot in the sun for a few weeks to allow the soil to dry out, then transplant the new plant into the same pot. If you plan to grow more than one plant at a time, you will need to make sure that each plant receives the proper amount of light and water.
Does arugula regrow after cutting?
Don’t pull the stems because arugula will grow back once it’s cut. The bolts go to flower quickly in the heat. If this happens, you can use the leaves and flowers as mulch.
Does arugula come back every year?
Standard garden arugula is an annual which won’t grow back the next year, but it can easily reseed itself and grow new plants the following year. Wild arugula can survive moderate frosts and grow back in a year or two.
How do you cut arugula so it keeps growing?
Use your hands, a pair of scissors or a serrated knife and cut the stems of the leaves about an inch from the crown or the leaf base. Remove a few leaves from each plant and leave the rest to grow.
If you want to keep the plant longer, you can cut off the top of each leaf and plant it in a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. The leaves will continue to grow and the pot will be able to hold more leaves.
Does arugula need full sun?
Arugula is a cool-season annual, meaning that it is good in spring or fall. Plant in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Like any vegetable or herb that needs to grow green leaves, arugula will benefit from compost, mulch, and a small amount of water.
Does arugula grow well in containers?
Arugula makes a perfect addition to the container garden and can be grown on a patio, balcony, or windowsill. You can use a pot that has a wide, shallow base because arugula roots are shallow. You can also plant it in a container with a drainage hole in the bottom so that the roots don’t get too deep. Choose the right container for your plant.
If you want to grow arugulas in containers, you’ll need to choose a pot that is at least 6 inches in diameter. This will allow the plant to get plenty of light and water, and it will also allow you to keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. It’s also a good idea to add a layer of mulch around the edges of your container to help keep it from getting soggy during the winter months.
