Organic 'Esmee' Rocket
Esmee Arugula produces abundant tender, aromatic foliage that enhances salads and countless fresh recipes. Its rapid growth provides multiple harvests throughout the growing season.
identification
description
Organic Arugula ‘Esmee’ (Eruca sativa) is a fast-growing, flavorful annual herb grown for its finely cut green foliage and distinctive peppery flavor. It reaches approximately 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) in height and adds a light, fresh, decorative texture to vegetable gardens, kitchen gardens, and containers. Its young leaves, especially tender when harvested early, are usually ready about 40 days after sowing and easily enhance salads, pizzas, sandwiches, garnishes, and Mediterranean dishes. Its rapid growth allows several harvests during the season, especially when the outer leaves are picked regularly to encourage new growth.
Organic Arugula ‘Esmee’ is direct sown outdoors or in containers from April to September in cool, loose, slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained soil. It prefers cool temperatures between 10 and 20°C (50 to 68°F), as well as full sun or light partial shade, especially during warm periods to slow bolting. Sow seeds about 0.5 cm (1/4 in) deep, then thin plants to 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) apart to ensure good air circulation. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, which encourages more tender, less bitter, higher-quality leaves.
In the garden, Organic Arugula ‘Esmee’ fits perfectly into family vegetable gardens, edible landscapes, planters, and 10 to 15 L (2.5 to 4 gal) containers on balconies or patios. It grows well alongside asparagus, cabbage, and sage, while avoiding proximity to strawberries and radishes whenever possible. Successive sowings every few weeks help extend harvests from spring through autumn. If a few plants are allowed to flower, their delicate creamy white blooms attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, contributing to biodiversity and balance in the edible garden.
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