Direct sow April through September especially while weather remains cool. Place seed approximately 0.5 cm deep, maintain 10–20°C, and keep the surface moist; emergence takes 5–10 days. Make small sowings every two or three weeks. During strong heat choose light partial shade or wait for cooler temperatures to slow bolting and retain tender leaves.
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Organic annual herb with peppery foliage
Brassicaceae
Organic herb seeds
Organic ‘Esmee’ arugula (Eruca sativa ‘Esmee’)
Eruca sativa ‘Esmee’
Fast organic open-pollinated arugula with deeply cut tender peppery green leaves harvested near 40 days.
Quantity
Around 500 seeds
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Difficulty level
Easy to moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Eruca
Species
Eruca sativa
Cultivar
Esmee
Type
Organic annual herb with peppery foliage
Cycle
Annual
Organic ‘Esmee’ arugula (Eruca sativa ‘Esmee’) is a fast annual herb grown for deeply cut green leaves with refined peppery flavour. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 500 organic non-heirloom open-pollinated seeds, height of 20–30 cm, and first harvest near 40 days. Tender young leaves add freshness and character to salads sandwiches pizzas garnishes and Mediterranean dishes.
Direct sow April through September approximately 0.5 cm deep in cool loose organic-rich well-drained soil. Maintain 10–20°C and even moisture; emergence generally takes 5–10 days. Thin to 15 or 20 cm for air circulation. Full sun suits cool weather while light partial shade slows drying and bolting during warm periods. Make small sowings every two or three weeks rather than one large row.
Begin harvesting young outer leaves near 35–40 days once tender and well formed, without cutting the centre if regrowth is desired. Pick in the morning, cool promptly, and wash only before use. Heat drought and flowering generally strengthen flavour; make a new sowing rather than retaining tough plants for too long. Discard wilted slimy mouldy or abnormal-smelling leaves. Number of cuts exact yield and resistance to particular diseases are unconfirmed.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
15 to 20 cm between plants and 25 to 30 cm between rows
Establishment temperature
10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F)
Establishment time
5 to 10 days
Best planting time
April through September in small successive sowings
Propagation
Direct sowing
Growing method
Direct sow April through September 0.5 cm deep in cool drained soil. Maintain 10–20°C and even moisture until emergence in 5–10 days. Thin to 15–20 cm, weed shallowly, and protect from flea beetles if needed. Make small successive sowings every two or three weeks. Provide light partial shade during heat to slow bolting. Begin harvesting outer leaves near 35–40 days with clean scissors without cutting the centre.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature
-5°C (23°F)
Watering
Keep the surface evenly moist during germination for uniform emergence without a crust blocking seedlings. After emergence water deeply when the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Drought-stressed arugula bolts sooner, develops tougher leaves, and has stronger flavour while prolonged saturation encourages root suffocation and rot. Water at soil level in the morning, avoid unnecessarily wetting foliage, and mulch lightly after thinning. In containers check moisture daily during hot weather without leaving standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Prepare cool loose organic-rich well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH near 6.0–7.0. Incorporate mature compost before sowing to support steady growth without using fresh manure or excessive inputs. Work soil when neither sticky nor dusty and break large clods for easier emergence. In heavy soil use a raised bed or drained planter. Avoid compacting the row and rotate away from other Brassicaceae to reduce buildup of soilborne diseases and pests.
Fertilization
Incorporate a moderate amount of mature compost before sowing to support rapid leaf growth. Esmee arugula needs little feeding during its short cycle: excess nitrogen produces soft tissue, may intensify certain insect problems, and does not necessarily improve flavour. If soil is poor or a test confirms deficiency apply a light dose of balanced leafy-vegetable fertilizer according to its label, then water. Do not use fresh manure or place concentrated fertilizer against seed or roots. In fresh pre-enriched potting mix no additional feeding is normally needed before the first harvest near 40 days.
Seasonal care
Make small sowings April through September, keep moist until emergence, then thin to 15–20 cm. Weed shallowly and mulch lightly once established. Protect young leaves from flea beetles with insect netting if needed and monitor slugs caterpillars aphids and rot symptoms. Maintain even moisture and frequently harvest outer leaves without cutting the centre. During strong heat favour a new sowing in partial shade rather than retaining tough bolted plants. Remove diseased Brassicaceae residues and rotate crops.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
10 to 15 L (2.5 to 4 gal)
Choose a broad 10–15 L container at least 15–20 cm deep with several drainage holes. Fill with cool loose organic-rich well-drained potting mix. Sow 0.5 cm deep then thin to 15–20 cm to retain only a few airy rosettes. Place in full sun during cool weather or light partial shade during warm periods. Maintain even moisture without standing water, rotate for balanced light, and harvest outer leaves near 40 days without damaging the centre.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Cream white
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Herbaceous rosette
Growth rate
Very fast in cool weather
Bloom period
Small cream-white flowers when plants bolt
Fruiting
Seed pods developing after flowering
Harvest
Begin cutting young outer leaves near 35–40 days once tender well formed and pleasantly peppery. Harvest in the morning with clean scissors without cutting the centre if regrowth is desired. Cool promptly and wash only before use. Renew sowing when heat drought or flowering makes leaves tough and excessively strong. Number of cuts is not guaranteed. Discard wilted slimy mouldy or abnormal-smelling leaves.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Asparagus, cabbage, sage
Avoid planting with
Strawberry, radish
Salads pizzas sandwiches garnishes and Mediterranean dishes
From the garden to inspiration.
Esmee arugula salad — Rinse and dry young leaves carefully immediately before serving. Combine with pear or tomato wedges, a few nuts, a little cheese, and light lemon dressing. Add arugula at the last moment to preserve texture. Keep ingredients cold before preparation, refrigerate leftovers within two hours, and discard any slimy mouldy or abnormal-smelling leaf.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Esmee quickly produces deeply cut tender green leaves with refined peppery flavour. It suits small successive harvests in a garden planter or container near the kitchen. The first cut generally begins near 40 days. The fiche does not guarantee exact yield number of regrowths or particular disease resistance.
Maintain even moisture, avoid prolonged heat stress, and harvest young leaves before flowering. Light partial shade during warm periods slows drying and bolting. Pick outer leaves near 35–40 days without cutting the centre. When flavour becomes too strong or texture tough renew the row with a small sowing rather than retaining old plants for too long.
Begin harvesting young outer leaves near 35–40 days. Use clean scissors, pick in the morning, and do not cut the centre if regrowth is desired. Cool promptly and wash only before serving. Heat and flowering generally strengthen flavour. Number of cuts and total yield vary with conditions and are not guaranteed.
Yes. Use a broad well-drained 10–15 L container at least 15–20 cm deep. Fill with cool loose potting mix, sow 0.5 cm deep, then thin to 15–20 cm. Place in sun during cool weather or light partial shade during heat. Maintain even moisture without standing water and harvest outer leaves near 40 days without cutting the centre.
