Organic Arugula Harvesting Directions

Arugula is a very hearty plant that will provide plenty of spicy leaves throughout the cooler season. It will go to flower very quickly in warm weather. Once the plant starts to grow to about 8-12 inches, you may begin to harvest the leaves. Arugula grows quickly so once it has gotten more mature, go ahead and harvest an entire leaf at a time. Never cut the entire plant at one time, just take entire leaves starting from the bottom up. Make sure to cut the plant back if it begins to shade out another plants near it.

When the plant is in its earlier stages (8-12 inches) do not pick more than 25% of the plant. This will give it a chance to grow larger, once the plant has grown to 18 inches tall by 6-10 inches wide, you may go ahead and start to cut off more and more leaves.

Arugula Information

Cabbage Family

Cool Season Vegetable

This weedy-looking Mediterranean native is grown for its spicy leaves, which resemble small mustard leaves and lend a nutty zing to green salads.  In winter plants reach about a foot tall, but eventually they will bolt to a height of 3 feet and bloom.

Best site: In a sunny location with cooler weather.

Pruning and training: Remove dead leaves. If you see it start to shoot up to seed, cut off that stem immeditately. This will help prolong the leaf production.

Time to harvest: You can begin eating the leaves in a couple of weeks.

Pest control: Regular applications of essential oil recommended.