Description arugula. What is it?
Rocket (Eruca sativa) belongs to the family Cruciferae, therefore it has to kale, radishes, kohlrabi, and to watercress and mustard. Despite the fact that the rocket homeland – subtropics, it can be easily adapted to climatic conditions, and therefore it can be grown in our country.
Wild arugula – perennial with narrow pinnate leaves have a spicy and slightly spicy taste. The leaves are somewhat reminiscent of dandelion leaves and radish. Salad – with broader leaves than the wild, and has a mild flavor. Young leaves are used for salads, while older suitable as a spice.
Note!crossed both types of rocket that combine flavor and shape of leaves wild, with the rapid growth of domestic plants.
Annual plant reaches a height of 10 to 50 centimeters. Shortly after germination can collect juicy leaves from spring to autumn.
Culture blossoms, depending on the start of the culture. House plant dies when the seeds are formed. Wild flower for a long time, followed by flowering until the autumn.
The use of Arugula salad for health
Leafy vegetables – one of the most effective helpers in cancer prevention. Cruciferous plants – isothiocyanates sources which have antitumour activity. These vegetables can help the skin cells to resist damage caused by UV radiation.
Rocket not only tastes good, but also very healthy. In its high content of mustard oil, as well as many different vitamins and minerals. Mustard oil glycosides are responsible for the distinctive nut-spicy taste.
Contains vegetable fiber, folic acid, lutein, beta-carotene, vitamins C, E, and K and minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese. Glyukozinaty cause pungent flavor. The plant has a laxative, diuretic action, improves digestion and increases the appetite. It strengthens the immune system, cleanses the blood, helps to detoxify the liver and for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Note!Arugula contains more vitamin C and beta-carotene than other leafy vegetables.
Leaves are active against fatigue and strengthen the immune system, a decoction of the root is used for digestive problems.
Growing arugula
Undemanding to growing, fast-growing grass grows quickly, needs no special conditions. It is easy to grow, and most of the year can be collected. But how to do that? Sow the seeds need each year. They germinate and grow quite quickly and are usually ready to eat after six weeks to an annual plant, it can easily reproduce by self-seeding after flowering.
How to sow the seeds?
Annual arugula ideally sown seeds. Sow the seeds in the garden from March to August. As the plants grow up to 20 cm in width, it should not be sown too thickly. If the seeds have sprouted dense, seedlings should break.
With spring planting can be carried out continuously on the street, and if there is no place, can be grown on a windowsill arugula. Year-round crop is only possible in a heated greenhouse or on a windowsill.
Seeding is carried out in rows at a distance of about 15 cm, depth 2.1 cm seeding. At day temperature 15-20 ° C seeds germinated after 1-2 weeks. The soil should be evenly moist during this time.
soil
Arugula needs a sunny or partial shade. Far from the full sun the leaves are more tender and less sharp flavor. Soil should be loose, rich in nutrients and humus. In heavy clay soils it is advisable to add coarse sand. Fertile soil provides a rapid development of plants.
Important enough humidity, since the roots of the plant is quite small. Proper and frequent watering is a must for proper growth arugula, especially on hot summer days. Watered every day, at least every other day. The Drought leaves quickly become too sharp. In addition, the soil should be regularly loosened, and keep weed-free.
Nutrient requirements she is not as demanding as most other types of cabbage. Fertilizer is only needed if the soil has not been prepared properly.
Crop rotation
How cruciferous vegetables, arugula should not sow in the beds on which previously grown cabbage. Due to the short time of growing small and fill the space, it is possible to sow in separate rows between the carrots, onions and other vegetables growing slowly.
Culture is resistant to frost. It seamlessly overwinters in the soil, and in the spring will surprise you with small green leaves peeking out of the ground.
How to store arugula?
Leafy green used fresh. Leaves and flowers are usually harvested before use. They can be stored in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator or in a special vegetable boxes within a few days. Older leaves can grind them and use as a seasoning for pizza and meat dishes.
Culture is characterized by its spicy delicate taste, which can vary any dish, especially salads, pasta and risotto. The taste of the young leaves resembles a radish. The bitterness of old leaves eliminated short heat treatment. Due to the content of various essential oils rocket may be similar to mustard.
Fresh chopped leaves can be stored frozen, or cover them with olive oil. This will ensure the supply of vitamins, even in winter, when the rocket is not growing.
Few know that the flowers and seeds are also used in the kitchen. The flowers are edible fresh and just thrown on the plate. The seeds contain a large amount of mustard oil. You can cook a delicious soup with the plant, use it instead of cabbage.
harvest
The refrigerator leaves stay fresh for only 1-2 days, so collect it as much as you need for a certain time. Young leaves can be harvested as soon as they reach a length of a height of about 3-5 cm above the ground. They can be cut individually or the entire plant at once, after which they will grow back.
You can collect the herbs up to three times, since once again grow enough new leaves. They have the best flavor if harvested before flowering. For this reason, the inflorescence is removed. If the stalks are ripe, the seeds can be collected and used as mustard seeds for pickling of pickles. Tender leaves raw in salads or sauces seasoned them.
Diseases and pests
Arugula – hardy culture, but in growing some caterpillars, and terrestrial fleas can cause damage to it. Earth fleas eat away the small holes in the leaves. As neighboring cultures avoid other cruciferous plants.
Leafy vegetables are beneficial for people and give our body vitality. They cope with the spring fatigue better than advertised supplements.
