Holly's Homestead — Leafy Green
Rocket
Eruca vesicaria · Brassica family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, direct sown
MATURITY 30–40 days
TYPE Annual, direct sown
MATURITY 30–40 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Consistent
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
15cm
Depth
0.5cm
01Fast and peppery
One of the quickest leafy crops from sowing to plate — succession sow every couple of weeks, and pick young for the mildest, least peppery flavour.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow thinly, little and often.
Soil
Loose, moisture-retentive.
Timing
Sow year-round in mild zones; avoid peak summer heat.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Keep soil consistently moist for milder-tasting leaves.
- Succession sow every 2 weeks.
- Harvest young for the best flavour — older leaves turn hot and bitter.
- Provide light afternoon shade in hot weather.
04Problems
- Flea beetle — small holes in leaves; net young plants.
- Bolting — heat stress; grow in cooler months.
- Slugs and snails — target seedlings; use barriers.
- Bitter flavour — left too long before picking or grown in heat.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Leaves reach usable size, picked young for the best flavour.
Method
Cut or pinch outer leaves, or the whole plant at the base.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge crisper, a few days.
Preserving
See Freezing Produce (blanching and freezing a glut) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
LettuceBeetrootAvoid nearby
Other brassicas nearbyRotation note
Rotate brassicas loosely on a 2–3 year cycle.
