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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Jeannine on May 30, 2008, 20:23:03

Title: Help needed with rocket
Post by: Jeannine on May 30, 2008, 20:23:03
 I have a packet, never grown it, never tasted it and the directions  on the packet are in a foreign language.

Looks like it might be grown like spinach but I am guessing.

All info appreciated.

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: artichoke on May 30, 2008, 20:37:37
You just sow it in wide short rows like radishes or lettuces, and it comes up almost instantly as bunches of slightly bitter leaves, soft and delicate if grown quickly, tough and hairy if conditions are not so good. Goes to flower quickly.

It's an acquired taste which I have acquired (sp?)

Went to Jordan a few years ago and kept seeing it growing wild. Pounced on it and munched it instead of admiring ten million Roman columns.
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: PurpleHeather on May 31, 2008, 04:25:49
Yes it is easy to grow, mixed with lettuce, baby beetroot leaves, baby spinach leaves makes a good salad.

You can also eat the flowers.

It is one of those things it is best to sow a few seeds every week or two.
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: tim on May 31, 2008, 06:54:53
Love it or hate it. Use sparingly. Nutty, peppery. Seems to be in every bought-in Baby Leaf Salad these days.
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: adrianhumph on May 31, 2008, 08:38:50
Hi Jeannine,  :D
                        As above, but also the flea beetles love it & you may find the leaves full of little holes where they have been >:( It also bolts very quickly in hot weather (not much chance at the moment) The all knowing Sarah Raven says not to sow it before August, this is after the flea beetle season is over (allegedly) I sow it early under cloches, (late February) & it grows well, giving a good early crop of tasty leaves.
              Adrian.
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: Rhubarb Thrasher on May 31, 2008, 11:16:52
and bear in mind that "Wild Rocket" is a completely different plant to Rocket. Probably lots of plants are called wild rocket, but if it's Diplotaxis tenuifolia aka rucola selvatica, then it's perennial. Tastes the same more or less, flowers not the same
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: Jeannine on June 01, 2008, 15:46:15
Thanks you everyone, I appreciate the help, It can go in my salad bed. I think I may have had it in mixed salad greens when visiting folks but I keep my salad greens down to just assorted lettuces. I will enjoy having a go at growing it apart from the others.

Thanks a million for the help.

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: caroline7758 on June 01, 2008, 16:57:15
I bought a pot from an open day at a local organic nursery today (sorry saddad!) and have also sown seeds. Is it "cut & come again" or "cut once" ?
Title: Re: Help needed with rocket
Post by: cleo on June 01, 2008, 17:36:55
And keep sowing it-rocket is extremely hardy so enjoy through the colder months.

And as Purple Heather has said the flowers can be eaten so if some bolts all to the good