Rocket Olivetta (Eruca sativa) is a small, leafy green vegetable that is native to regions between Portugal, Morocco, Syria and Turkey. It is easy to grow been used for centuries in Asian dishes and only recently become popular in the United States. This variety of Rocket has a slightly nutty flavour.
Ready for harvest in 35-50 days and one of the first to sow in spring, Rocket Olivetta is a worthy addition to any sustainable garden.
Other common names include Argula, Garden Rocket or Gargeer in India.
Check out our other Rocket pages such as Wild, Wasabi and Sweet Mixed.
Growth
Rocket Olivetta is an edible annual plant that grows to a height of around 60 cm (2 feet). It thrives in cool temperate conditions and can be started earlier in the calendar than most. Germination can occur from as low as 4°C / 40°F and and take less than a week. From then on, Rocket does require regular watering and will perform better with a balanced manure fertilizer.
Rocket Olivetta prefers full sun but can also tolerate part shade. If planting in part shade though, choose a location where most of the sunlight will be morning sun. The afternoon sun in summer can cause the plant to bolt and the leaves that follow are much more bitter.
Harvest Rocket during the morning when they are cooler for a tastier leaves.
FAMILY:
Brassicaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
4 to 27°C / 40 to 80°F can withstand light frosts and hot temperatures for short periods.
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be loose and well draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun, will tolerate some shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 60 cm’s (2 feet) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 25 cm’s (10 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Open pollinated.
MATURITY:
Average 35-50 days
GERMINATION RATES:
96%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-10 days at temperatures between 4-23°C / 40-75°F
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT ROCKET OLIVETTA (Eruca sativa)
Rocket is a rich source of Folate as well as Vitamins A, C and K.
Rocket was a popular herb during the Roman era and was widely viewed as an aphrodisiac. One writer described the leafy green as a plant that ‘revives drowsy Venus’. In some monasteries during the Middle Ages it was forbidden to grow Rocket. In many recipes from that period, Rocket was mixed with Lettuce in salads which was said to have the opposite effect so as to balance each other out.
The leafy vegetable has rapidly grown in popularity during the 21st century with the rise of sustainable living and a trend for healthier eating. Rocket’s bitter, slightly peppery taste has become a household staple as a conveniently packaged salad mix that is easy to grow. In Europe and North America, the ability to start growing Rocket earlier than most vegetables in the growing season has added to the appeal.
In Italy, Rocket is dried and added to pizzas or added fresh towards the end or after the cooking stages.
Mild frost conditions hinder the plant’s growth and turn the green leaves red.
One tip worth sharing that we received from a customer in South Australia. As Rocket has a shallow root system they make a clever addition to any trees being grown in large pots. Sowing Rocket seeds around the base of the tree utilizes the space, suppresses weeds and provides extra shade for the trees root system. The tree in turn helps the Rocket by shading it slightly from the hottest days in summer. As long as both plants are compensated for their extra water intake, they won’t both each other for nutrients.
