Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Wild rocket
Common names: Narrow-leaved rocket, Perennial rocket
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 20 cm, rows 25 cm
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Sowing
- Apr–Aug
- Harvest
- May–Oct
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −10 °C
- Water need
- Medium
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Diplotaxis tenuifolia, commonly known as wild rocket, is a perennial herb with narrow, deeply serrated leaves and a sharper, more peppery flavor than the annual garden rocket. It forms dense clumps over several years and reliably regrows after cutting, making it a productive perennial for small gardens or balcony pots. Small yellow cross-shaped flowers appear from early summer to autumn, attracting wild bees. Young leaves are harvested continuously; older foliage becomes increasingly sharp and is better suited for seasoning than fresh salad.
Care instructions
Wild rocket prefers a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-draining, somewhat lean soil. Water moderately and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings; excess moisture harms the roots more than brief dryness. Regularly trim the outer leaves a few centimeters above the soil to encourage new growth and keep the plant compact. Remove flower stems early if milder leaves are desired; otherwise the flavor will become noticeably sharper over time. As a perennial, it tolerates mild winters outdoors and regrows from the roots each spring.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
SowingApr–Aug
HarvestMay–Oct
Germination
- Soil temperature
- from 8 °C, ideally 18 °C
- Days to sprout
- 4 to 10 days
- Light
- Sprouts in light or dark
- Sowing depth
- 0.5 cm
- How to start
- Sow straight into the bed
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, sandy, lime-loving
Wild rocket likes free-draining, rather lean soil and tolerates dryness better than a lavish bed. Soils that are too nutrient-rich and heavy quickly make it prone to bolting and turn the flavour milder instead of spicy and sharp. A sunny, warm spot with loose soil is quite enough for it; be sure to avoid waterlogging.
As a member of the brassica family, wild rocket belongs in the crop rotation of the cabbage group and should not follow directly after cabbage, radishes or mustard. A break of several years at the same site guards against clubroot and other brassica problems.
Feeding
Light feeder
Wild rocket needs hardly any feeding; too many nutrients even weaken its spicy aroma. A thin layer of compost before sowing in spring is enough for the whole season. If you like, you can work a little ripe compost into the surface between cuttings; the undemanding wild plant needs nothing more.
Overwintering
Wild rocket is perennial and usually gets through mild winters in the bed without trouble. In harsh locations it appreciates a loose mulch layer of leaves or straw, especially if the soil tends to be wet. In a container, a bright, frost-free spot by the house wall is safer than leaving it standing outside.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
The easiest way to propagate wild rocket is by sowing directly outdoors from mid-April into August, as it germinates quickly. Only cover the seed lightly with soil, because it is among the seeds that need light to germinate. Older clumps can also be divided in spring if you want to propagate an established plant. For a steady supply in the kitchen, succession sowing every three to four weeks is worthwhile.
Companion planting
Good neighbors
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedLeguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanSnow peaWrinkled pea and 36 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
carrot family (Apiaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example CarrotCeleriacDillParsleyFlorence fennelCoriander and 21 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
mint family (Lamiaceae)
You will notice that the intense scent of basil, thyme, and others confuses the cabbage whitefly and keeps it away from the cabbage family.
For example LavenderThymeBasilRosemarySageHyssop and 43 more species in the catalogue
Source: bio-gardening intercropping practice
nasturtium family (Tropaeolaceae)
Nasturtium serves as a trap plant for you. Aphids and cabbage whiteflies prefer it over the brassicaceae next to it.
For example NasturtiumMashua
Source: Trap plant practice in organic horticulture
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Wild rocket yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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