Rocket Wild
$4.49
Diplotaxis Tenuifolia
- Seed Count 3000
- Very Peppery
- Annual
In stock
Description
Rocket Wild or Perennial Rocket is gaining in popularity; it has narrower and more deeply divided, aromatic leaves than the annual variety with attractive yellow flowers.
It has a more intense and nutty flavour, that is sharp and clean, unlike salad rocket, which can become bitter with age in hot weather.
It has so much flavour, it hardly needs a dressing. “Hot Rocket” adds zing to green salads much more so than the type you find in ready-picked salad bags.
As a perennial plant, it can be sown outdoors all year round in milder climates.
It does best in nutrient-rich soil in full sun. However, it can withstand most soil conditions and even some partial shade.
HOW TO PLANT
Plant the seeds in your soil, cover them lightly with soil and water them down. The seeds will germinate within around 7 days.
After the seedlings are around an inch tall, thin them out so there is 10 cm of space between each plant. If your soil if low in nutrients, add a nitrogen rich fertliser.
HOW TO HARVEST
Rocket generally takes around 50 days to become fully mature to harvest. Pinch off the outer leaves to harvest.
Just picking the outer leaves will allow the plant to stay intact and keep producing leaves to harvest. The more you harvest, the more the plant will yield.
The flavour will get stronger as you harvest the leaves. You can harvest the leaves until the flavour gets too strong for your taste.
| Method: Sow seeds | Soil Temp: 10°C - 25°C |
| Cool Mountain: Mar/May - Sep/Nov | Position: Part shade |
| Arid: May/Mar - Aug/Nov | Row Spacing: 10 cm apart |
| Temperate: Jan - Dec | Planting Depth: 1 mm |
| Sub Tropical: Jan - Dec | Harvest: 50 days |
| Tropical: Not recommended | Plant Height: 30cm |
Preparing the Soil
- Rocket thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Adjust the soil pH if necessary using lime to increase pH or sulphur to lower pH.
- Choose a Location of full sunlight to partial shade is ideal.
- Loosen the soil to a depth of about 30 cm. Incorporate well-composted organic matter to improve soil fertility and drainage.
Sowing Seeds
- Directly sow seeds in rows or scatter them in a bed.
- Space seeds about 10 cm apart and cover lightly with soil.
- Water gently after sowing to ensure soil is moist but not waterlogged.
Care and Maintenance
Watering:
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
- Rocket grows best with regular watering.
Thinning:
- If seedlings are crowded, thin them to about 10 cm apart to allow for good air circulation and growth.
Fertilising:
- Use a balanced fertiliser every few weeks during the growing season to promote lush growth.
Pest and Disease Management
Rocket can be susceptible to pests like aphids and cabbage white butterflies. Here are some management strategies:
Companion Planting:
- Planting alongside carrots, onions, or garlic can deter pests.
Natural Predators:
- Encourage ladybugs and lacewings in your garden to control aphids.
Netting:
- Use insect netting to protect plants from larger pests like butterflies.
Harvesting
Timing:
- Rocket leaves can be harvested 3 to 4 weeks after sowing, once they reach about 10 cm in height.
Method:
Pick the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing.
If allowed to flower, rocket will become bitter.
Companion Planting
Companion planting can enhance the growth of rocket and protect it from pests. Here are some beneficial companions:
Carrots:
- Help to aerate the soil and do not compete for nutrients.
Onions and Garlic:
- Their strong scent deters aphids and other pests.
Basil:
- Can improve rocket’s growth and flavour.
Avoid planting rocket near members of the cabbage family (e.g., kale, broccoli), as they can compete for nutrients and attract the same pests.
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