Rocket

Growing Guide

A year-round favourite, sow Rocket seeds April to September outdoors and October to March indoors.



Sow seed thinly direct outside or in a pot on the windowsill or in a greenhouse at 3 to 4 weekly intervals for regular harvests throughout the year. When sowing outdoors, sow seed 1cm deep, in drills 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to 25cm apart, or leave unthinned as baby salad leaves. For indoor sowing thin to 2 seedlings per 9cm pot.

TOP TIPS

Keep the soil moist, watering in dry spells, to ensure consistent growth and prevent plants running to seed (bolting) prematurely. Give rocket some shade in hot weather, to prevent the leaves becoming tough and unpalatable. Cover with fleece or make summer sowings in a spot that gets some light shade.



Rocket typically flowers between May and August. Most rocket flowers are edible, however do check individual seed packs for confirmation. If you allow some plants to flower and produce seeds, they’ll self-sow to give you new plants without any effort. When harvesting pick a few leaves from several plants. If you take lots of leaves from one plant, growth will be weakened.