Contents
Arugula is one of the varieties of lettuce. This green plant can be found in the wild in many hot countries, but arugula began to be cultivated in the Mediterranean. Another name for this salad culture is eruka. It belongs to the cabbage family, so turnips, radishes, radishes, horseradish, cabbage can be considered relatives of arugula.
In Our Country, eruka began to spread along with the popularity of Italian and Mediterranean culinary dishes, because it is an invariable component of most salads, pastas, risottos, pizzas, condiments and sauces.
How to grow arugula in Our Country, and which variety of this outlandish plant is better to choose – everything is in our article.
What is the difference between varieties of arugula
Eruki bushes in their structure resemble lettuce bushes: the lower leaves are collected in rosettes, the upper ones are covered with a small fluff or glossy, the shape of the leaves depends on the variety, it can be round with smooth edges or elongated with a wavy, zigzag edge.
The stems are slightly pubescent, even, their height reaches 30-60 cm. Inflorescences are rare, the shade of flowers can be white, yellow, purple. Arugula is considered a good honey plant, it is loved by bees and other pollinating insects.
The taste qualities of eruki leaves largely depend on the plant variety. But the general notes are the same – it’s walnut and mustard. The taste of greens is spicy, slightly bitter, with sourness. Eruka is able to add spice to any dish, it can be added not only to sauces and seasonings, sandwiches and snacks are decorated with arugula, it is added to soups and stews, it is an excellent filling for a pie.
The fruits of arugula are oval-shaped seed pods, in which small peas are located in two rows – seeds of a brown or brown hue.
Seeds appear quite quickly – 3 weeks after the appearance of the first shoots. They can be immediately harvested and sown, because arugula can be grown all season – from April to the end of summer.
The growing season of arugula is very short – from 25 to 35 days. After this period, the leaves become too hard and are no longer suitable for human consumption. By the time of maturation, the leaf reaches a length of about 10 cm. Eruki varieties are divided into early-ripening and mid-ripening.
Variety “Dikovina”
This arugula can be attributed to mid-ripening varieties – the greens ripen by about the 30th day after sowing the seeds into the soil. The height of the plant is about 20 cm, the stem of the eruki of this variety is even, slightly pubescent. The lower part is a rosette assembled from lyre-shaped leaves. Arugula “Dikovina” blooms with small cream-colored inflorescences.
The variety has a high taste characteristics, so it is often used to prepare a wide variety of dishes.
Variety “Cupid’s Arrows”
One of the most popular eruki varieties among gardeners and culinary specialists. This arugula is mid-season – the leaves ripen by the 35th day after the first shoots appear.
The stems of lettuce greens of this variety can reach 30 cm in height, straight and smooth. The leaves are collected in rosettes, the shape of the leaves is carved, they are long and narrow. The inflorescences of the Cupid’s Arrows variety can be recognized by their characteristic yellow tint. The bushes of this variety of arugula are a bit like dandelions.
Variety “Olivetta”
Arugula belongs to early ripening varieties – the growing season is only three weeks. The bushes are straight, even, their height does not exceed 15-20 cm. The leaves are lyre-shaped, slightly oval in shape, painted in rich green.
You can distinguish the greens of the Olivetta variety by their characteristic, slightly bitter aftertaste and pronounced nutty aroma. These taste qualities are highly valued by culinary specialists, arugula of the Olivetta variety gives the dishes a special piquancy.
Sort “Rocket”
This variety of eruki also ripens very quickly – just 20-23 days after the first sprouts have made their way out of the ground, arugula can be harvested.
Arugula bushes are low – only 20 cm, the leaves are collected in rosettes, the shape of the leaves of the variety resembles feathers – they have carved, slightly rounded edges. Leaves are dyed dark green. The taste of this greenery also has such a valuable nutty flavor, arugula of the Rocket variety can turn any insipid dish into a culinary masterpiece.
Variety “Victoria”
An early ripe variety of arugula, ripening in just 20-25 days after sowing the seeds in the beds. The bushes are formed by straight stems and rosettes of oval leaves. In height, the bushes of arugula of the Victoria variety do not exceed 15-20 cm.
This eruku is especially valued for its extremely high vitamin content in tender leaves.
Sort “Poker”
An early variety of arugula with a growing season of only three weeks. After this period of time, you can harvest useful greens.
The leaves of this variety are large, long, painted in a rich green hue. Eruka blooms with cream-colored flowers, the variety reaches a maximum height of 20 cm.
A distinctive feature of the variety is a slightly sweet aftertaste with mustard notes.
Variety “Solitaire”
Refers to mid-season varieties, full ripening of greens occurs only on the 35-40th day after the seeds have been sown. The leaves of the plant are dark green, their shape is dissected, elongated.
A characteristic feature of the arugula variety is a mustard-nutty flavor, especially valuable in cooking. Such an eruka will be sold in stores and markets!
Variety “Spartacus”
An early variety, the growing season is only 19-25 days. The height of the bushes can reach 18-20 cm. Eruka of the Spartak variety is unique in its dietary composition, it contains the maximum amount of essential oils and vitamins.
Arugula of this variety can be grown in heated greenhouses, this will allow you to harvest greens all year round.
How to grow arugula
In the climate of Our Country, lettuce can be grown in several ways:
- In the southern regions or the temperate climate of the middle zone, the method of planting seeds directly on the beds is quite suitable. In order for the seeds to hatch and the first shoots to appear, the earth must warm up to 9-16 degrees. Such a temperature in the middle part of Our Country is established mainly by mid-April – early May. During this period, arugula seeds are sown for open ground. The best varieties for such plantings are early ripe. After three weeks, when the first plantings of eruca are ripe, you can collect the seeds and sow the arugula again. So, during one season it turns out to grow several crops of salad greens, and always have fresh arugula on the table.
- In the northern regions, where springs are long and cold, it is possible to accelerate the ripening of eruca by planting seeds in protected ground. The beds are prepared in advance (two to three weeks in advance), they dig up the ground, remove weeds, spill the soil with boiling water for disinfection. Seeds are sown in the same way as in open ground – with an interval between rows of 35-40 cm, and between seeds – 2-3 cm. Arugula is grown in greenhouses and greenhouses all year round.
- The seedling method is suitable for those who want to further accelerate the ripening of green salad. To do this, the seeds are sown in cups, pots or boxes. The germination of arugula seeds is quite high, so it is not necessary to soak and pre-sprout them. Seeds are deepened no more than 1,5 cm into the ground (ordinary garden soil or any seedling mix that is sold in agricultural stores will do). After 4-5 days, the first shoots already appear. When the plants have two true leaves, they dive into peat or disposable cups. The grown seedlings are transferred to the beds or to the greenhouse, arugula should be transplanted along with an earthen clod. The distance between the bushes should be at least 15-20 cm.
- Another way to get delicious greens is to grow arugula on a windowsill or balcony. This plant is very unpretentious, eruk does not need special conditions and complex care. Greenery grows at a temperature of 18-20 degrees, it needs to be well watered and cut off ripened leaves in time. Seeds are sown in pots or boxes, observing a certain interval. After 25-30 days, you can harvest the first crop, and in order to enjoy the greens longer, arugula seeds are re-sown in other pots.
Do this when the plants will have two leaves. About 15-20 cm are left between adjacent sprouts, the rest are pulled out (they can be used for salads and other dishes).
Gardeners claim that too dense plantings worsen the taste and nutritional characteristics of arugula – plants lack water and trace elements from the soil.
Useful Properties
Regardless of the variety, arugula has a number of useful and even medicinal properties. Eruka is a good “doctor” for many diseases:
- ulcers of the stomach or intestines;
- predisposition to cancer;
- some diseases of the kidneys and bladder;
- skin diseases and hematomas;
- reduced immunity;
- anemia;
- lack of iodine;
- vitamin deficiency and scurvy.
These greens have a high content of essential oils and flavonoids, which significantly increases the risk of developing an allergic reaction. Also, caution should be exercised by pregnant and lactating mothers.
Such a large number of medicinal properties is explained by the rich composition of arugula. It contains not only flavonoids and alkaloids that prevent the development of cancerous tumors and other serious diseases, but also a lot of vitamins and minerals, such as:
- calcium;
- potassium;
- iodine;
- iron;
- magnesium;
- steroids;
- acetic and malic acid;
- mustard oil;
- vitamins of groups C and B.
Due to the fact that arugula has a very pleasant spicy taste, it can be added to almost any dish. So getting all the useful vitamins and minerals will not be difficult.
Rules for the care of planting arugula
Caring for plantings of arugula, in principle, is simple. But failure to follow simple rules will inevitably lead to a deterioration in the taste of this salad greens.
In order for arugula to have a delicate taste and spicy aroma, the following conditions must be observed when growing it:
- Arugula seeds of any variety can be bought in specialized stores, or you can collect them yourself from your own crop.
- The optimal temperature for growing arugula is the range of 14-18 degrees. Based on this, you need to choose the method of planting greenery and the place of its cultivation.
- Arugula seedlings of some varieties are able to withstand temperatures down to -7 degrees. However, tender greens will not endure prolonged frosts. If there is a risk of frost, it is better to cover the eruca with a film or agrofibre (at least for the night).
- You need to water the beds often, almost every day. The ground near the arugula should always be slightly damp. If this rule is not observed, the green becomes bitter and goes into color.
- The looseness of the soil is also important. After each watering, the beds must be fluffed with a chopper, so the roots of the eruca will receive the necessary amount of air and oxygen.
- You need to fertilize the bushes once or twice during the entire growing season. Considering that arugula fully matures in three to four weeks, it cannot be fertilized with mineral and organic preparations. The leaves will accumulate toxins that do not have time to decompose in such a short period. Eruca needs to be fertilized with a nitrogen composition, bringing it to the beds along with watering. Chicken manure dissolved in water or rotted cow dung is also suitable.
- Do not fertilize only very nutritious soils. If arugula does not receive all the necessary trace elements, its composition will also become poorer – it will no longer be so useful.
- The soil for growing eruca must have a high calcium content, so the soil is limed before sowing the seeds.
- When growing arugula, it is important to observe crop rotation: it is best to plant greens in the place where pumpkin crops, legumes, carrots, and potatoes grew last season. However, beds should be avoided where cabbage and other cruciferous crops have been grown for three years. Arugula and these plants have the same diseases that can be transmitted through contaminated soil.
- Mature eruca leaves must be cut on time, otherwise they will become tough and bitter in taste. You can determine maturity by the length of the leaf – optimally, it should reach 10 cm.
All varieties of arugula perfectly tolerate the domestic climate, so they can be grown simply in the beds. In order not to go to the supermarket for greens in winter, you can plant an eruca on a windowsill or in a heated greenhouse.