Thimna MatikaArugula, commonly known as rocket, is an easy to grow low maintenance herb with a distinctive peppery taste that adds an interesting flavour to salads.
Rocket leaves are packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and folic acid as well as calcium and potassium, and are an excellent source of vitamins A, B and K. Rocket is usually enjoyed raw in salads, burgers, sandwiches, pestos, pizza and pastas.
Both the leaves and the flowers of the rocket plant are edible, the flowers make lovely white and purple star-shaped decorations for salads and other dishes.
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How to cultivate rocket indoors
Rocket is fairly easy to sprout from seed even in containers. Garden rocket is grown as an annual, while wild rocket can be grown for several years. Rocket is easy to grow at home and is great for planting in raised beds or in pots on the balcony. Rocket thrives in loose rich soil and partial sun or semi shade.
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The beauty about rockets is that it is a fast-growing leafy crop for growing in big or small containers. This means one can re-use and repurpose their small ice-cream and yoghurt tubs instead of throwing them away. Ensure that the container that is used to grow rocket has drainage holes before you fill it with soil. Sprinkle rocket seeds over the soil and cover them with a layer of soil.
Growing this plant indoors or out is a wonderful experience. A bumper crop of spicy leaves to use in salads, meats, and meals is guaranteed when you grow rocket in your space. In addition to adding a distinctive flavour to food, its peppery leaves and edible blooms provide numerous health advantages.
Rocket is a great option for anyone wishing to enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables while cutting waste through innovative container gardening because of its low maintenance needs and capacity to flourish in small areas.
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