How do I grow Rocket all summer ?

Hi there I bought a couple of propegators today and some seeds to grow rocket.
I would like start them off from seeds and then re pot them in some planters so they grow all summer..

1) Do I start planting them on a weekly basis so they grow staggered throughout the summer....?

2) Do I need the propegators... or can I grow them straight from pots.

3) How can I keep them snail and ant free without polluting the rocket.. (I currently use slug pellets around the edges of my pots in the garden to keep the snails off my plants).

4) How many seeds at a time should I sow?

Any other advice would be helpful..

Are there resources on here that give you step by step guides of things you should be doing when you plant rocket for comsumption all summer?

Thanks :O)

 

I sow seeds like rocket and salads once every week or so, that way you get a supply all summer . I sow them in pots and also in the garden and put clear plastic containers over them to get them going quicker . I also use slug pellets.k-l

 

I think if you sow as often as every week some batches will catch up.

Generally I sow things like Lettuce once a month, but I think that's a bit far apart. Fortnightly should do the trick.

Slug pellets should be OK, or maybe try ""nemaslug"

 

You can just grow the rocket in pots Beginner. Just sow the seeds very lightly over the surface and cover very lightly. Rocket comes up very quickly and you can start cutting leaves as soon as there is anything to cut. You can just put your pots outside.
When the weather is very warm and dry in mid summer (ha ha) rocket tends to go to flower so at that time move your rocket to a shady place. Enjoy.

 

I'm a rocket fan so have tried about 5 varieties. The best, most trouble free, and most productive is WILD ROCKET--the one with long, thin, serrated leaves and coveted by chefs--My bullet-proof favourite and although slugs/pests go for the other types of rocket, they avoid Wild Rocket. It's worth mentioning that the other types of rocket I tried turned to nothing and bolted to seed pretty much as soon as they looked large enough to crop. Wild rocket will flower but pinch them out as soon as you see them. Grows best in part shade.

1) Do I start planting them on a weekly basis so they grow staggered throughout the summer....?

I have 6 plants on the go and I have rocket 2-3 times per week as a salad, on pizzas, etc for the two of us from March through November. I don't stagger I just pick selectively from all the plants and the crop rejuvenates within days it seems. The plants are also perennial so will die down in winter and come back to life in spring, even before the daffodils for me (down in Devon). Towards the end of the year the rocket starts to get even more peppery but not bitter, perhaps a bit more tough and best served hot/wilted on pizzas etc.

2) Do I need the propegators... or can I grow them straight from pots.

Straight in pots, outside, no fuss. Wild rocket seems to prefer cooler weather anyway. However if you can plant them in the ground as soon as the seedlings are about 2" high, even better. I usually start seeds off in pots just so I know what is crop and what is weed!!! Seem to prefer decent, rich soil but does not want fertiliser or any more fuss.

3) How can I keep them snail and ant free without polluting the rocket.. (I currently use slug pellets around the edges of my pots in the garden to keep the snails off my plants).

I garden organically and slugs and snails were a problem with the other varieties of rocket I tried but with wild rocket, it's like they loathe it. I nibble as I pick. However I do mulch with slate chippings to keep the rain from splashing dirt onto the the leaves and making them gritty.

4) How many seeds at a time should I sow?

I suppose this depends on how often you want to eat rocket. 3-6 plants should be plenty for two people wanting some 2-3 times per week. Considering a packet of rocket costs about £2 in the supermarket I've probably eaten about £200+ worth by now for seeds that cost £1.20 and the seed packet shared with the neighbourhood.

 

Thanks this is very helpful.


Right, I am off to sow my rocket... wish me luck :wink:

 

My rocket is doing fantastically - haven't sown any more in there yet as it is so jam packed with other salad... I have a seperate pot of rocket which is quite sparse, which I will sow into soon.

It really makes a salad interesting and is so easy to grow, I am so glad I did it.