Botanical Name: Eruca vesicaria
Days to Maturity: 32 – 55 Days
Family: Brassicaceae
Native: Africa, Asia, Europe; exact native range obscure
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Plant Dimensions: Arugula leaves are often harvested young but they can reach 10". When arugula flowers, plants can be a foot tall or more.
Variety Information: Astro' is a slower-to-bolt cultivar with wider, less-lobed leaves. When the weather is cool and plants are young, its flavor is milder than many common arugulas.
Attributes: Cold Tolerant, Good for Containers
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 40°F; ideally 50°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall for winter harvest.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended.
Days to Emerge: 10 – 15 Days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6"
Row Spacing: 6"
Thinning: When ½" tall, thin to 1 every 6"
Harvesting: For the mildest, best-tasting baby greens, pick leaves when 2"–4" long. Pick individually or cut off the plant at ground level. For the best flavor, harvest before plant begins to flower, unless you plan to eat the flowers.
