Arugula is a versatile green that can be used in both cooked and raw dishes. If you are looking for an easy way to add more greens into your diet, then arugula is the perfect solution! Not only does it have a peppery flavor, but it's also packed full of essential vitamins and minerals. This blog post will teach you how to plant, grow, and harvest arugula so that you can enjoy this tasty green all year long!
Arugula is ready to plant after the danger of frost has passed in your area. If you live in a zone where frost may occur, make sure that it isn't going to come before you plant. Arugula can be grown from seed or started indoors and transplanted later into the garden, but seeds are much easier as they don't require any plant starter soil like the seedlings do.
#1 - Prepare your Arugula Plot
If you are seeding arugula, then it is time to get a tiller in the ground and prepare your plot. You will want to work up the soil until it reaches a fine tilth or texture so that when you do sow your seed, it will come up easier.
#2 - Decide How Much Arugula You Need to Grow
For arugula, you need to allow about 4-5 sq. ft for each row you plant in your garden bed. The best way to proceed is by planting several short rows and staggering them throughout the garden rather than having one long row. This way, you will have arugula coming up from all parts of your garden bed easily and at the same time!
#3 - Sow Your Seed in Rows
The best way to sow arugula seed is by creating a shallow furrow with a hoe or tiller. The depth of the furrow should only be about a half to three quarters of an inch in depth. Then simply scatter the arugula seed evenly over that area and lightly rake it in using a rake or tiller.
#4 - Water Your Garden Bed
After you have sown your arugula seeds or transplanted your seedlings, make sure that you water your garden bed thoroughly so that the seeds have a chance to germinate.
Arugula is very easy to grow and requires little maintenance. As long as you keep the weeds away from your arugula plants, you can harvest fresh leaves all summer long!
#1 - Watering Your Arugula Plants
You should give your arugula a lot of water, especially in dry conditions. Make sure that you water your arugula beds every couple of days or so. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
#2 - Keep Your Garden Bed Weed Free
Weeds can quickly overtake arugula, so make sure to keep them at bay until they are big enough to prevent it happening. You can do this by hoeing or pulling weeds as soon as you see them.
You should harvest your arugula as soon as the leaves are big enough to use. The best way is simply by picking and eating it!
#1 - If using arugula in salads, then take only the leaves off of the plant before you wash them. Then chop up the leaves, add any other ingredients, and enjoy!
#2 - If you are using arugula as a cooked green, then wash it thoroughly and throw it into the pan with some other veggies. Then simply cook them until they are done.
Arugula has a very peppery and slightly bitter taste. If you are looking to use it raw in salads, then make sure that you mix some mild greens with the arugula so that it doesn't overpower them. When cooked, the flavor is much more mellow but still maintains its unique taste. There are many great recipes online for cooking with arugula, including adding it to soups. It is best paired with other strong flavors like cheese and garlic or used in pesto. Enjoy!
Arugula is easy to store as long as you are keeping it properly. You can simply keep arugula in a sealed plastic bag with a damp paper towel and place it inside the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator. This will ensure that your arugula stays fresh for about 3-4 weeks. If you don't plan on using your arugula for that long, you can chop it up and put it into smaller containers to freeze. This will last about 6 months in the freezer. You can also use a vacuum sealer to freeze arugula successfully as well!
#1 - To prepare arugula for storage, make sure that you thoroughly wash off any debris or dirt from the leaves and then chop off the stems.
#2 - Once you have chopped up your arugula, put them into individual freezer bags or containers and freeze. Store for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Arugula is a very healthy green vegetable that has recently been growing in popularity. It is high in vitamins A and C, fiber, calcium, iron and potassium. The leaves can be used for garnishing dishes or even as an herbal tea. The seeds have also been used for flavoring items like gin!
#1 - Soak the seeds and then use them as a substitute for watercress in salads or omelets.
#2 - Add arugula seeds to your gin with an equal amount of juniper berries, coriander seeds, and fennel seed. Leave it to infuse at room temperature for about one week before bottling. Keep refrigerated.
#3 - Make a healthy drink by simply steeping four or five arugula leaves in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strain and add honey or sweetener before drinking.
Arugula has long been used as a medicinal herb. Its plethora of vitamins and minerals have made it an effective treatment for various ailments, including heart disease and respiratory problems. Here are some health benefits that you can gain from eating arugula:
#1 - Arugula is high in vitamin C, which helps to prevent tooth decay and helps to develop healthy gums.
#2 - Arugula also contains high amounts of folic acid, which prevents birth defects like spinal bifida in babies.
#3 - Arugula is even thought to be an effective treatment for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases due to the fact that it reduces platelet aggregation.
#4 - Arugula is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium which are important for proper brain function.
Arugula is a wonderful and healthy addition to any backyard garden. It can be grown in pots, rocks gardens or anywhere with plenty of sunlight. Not only are they easy to grow but the leaves have been proven to contain more antioxidants than any other leafy green vegetable. If you're looking for something new and fresh from your own backyard this summer, consider growing some arugula! Do you already grow it? Let us know in the comments below if so or not.
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