What Is Arugula? A Detailed Guide to Growing It

Arugula, also known as stinky greens, is a common wild vegetable in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and other places. Because of its high nutritional value and the unique taste of its sprouts, it is deeply loved by people in Northeast China, and it now counts as a distinctive and delicious vegetable. So what is arugula? What are the growing methods?

1. What is arugula?

1. Arugula is an annual herbaceous plant of the order Papaverales, suborder Capparineae, family Brassicaceae, tribe Brassiceae, genus Eruca. Its stem is upright, and the plant height is about 20-90cm. The grown leaves are pinnately lobed or unlobed, with a rounded or short ovate tip and fine teeth, while the sides are triangular-ovate or ovate. The flowers are yellow and obovate, with four petals spreading outward and purple streaks on them. The fruit is cylindrical, hairless on the valves, with a 2-3mm stalk at the tip, and inside the valves are brown seeds that are ovate or nearly spherical and angular. It generally flowers in May to June and fruits in July to August.

2. Arugula is a leafy green plant. Both the tender leaves and young seedlings can be eaten, and when eaten they have a strong sesame aroma and are very tender and smooth. The seeds have a high oil content, so they can be used for pressing oil and so on. In addition, arugula keeps well. Generally, placing the roots in water or wrapping the roots with a damp paper towel can keep it for one or two days, but it is best to eat it as soon as possible so as not to affect the taste.

3. Arugula is a highly nutritious vegetable, rich in various amino acids such as glutamic acid, alanine, glycine and leucine, as well as elements needed by the human body such as calcium, sodium and potassium. It has the effects of strengthening the stomach, reducing inflammation and promoting urination, and can effectively treat conditions such as kidney deficiency, constipation and chronic cough.

2. What are the growing methods for arugula?

1. Choosing and preparing the land: What kind of land is suitable for planting?

Arugula is suitable for growing in an environment with loose, fertile soil and good drainage, so when choosing land, try to choose fertile sandy loam for planting. After choosing the land, deeply plow the soil and apply an appropriate amount of decomposed farmyard manure, then dig a trench at a spacing of 20cm between plants and 15cm between rows for later planting.

2. Sowing and raising seedlings: When is the best time to sow?

(1) Sowing time: around April.

(2) Sowing method: Arugula can be sown by direct seeding, drilling or broadcasting. When sowing, sow evenly into the soil, then lightly cover with a layer of soil and water a small amount, and after four or five days the seeds will sprout.

3. Transplanting and setting out: When is the best time to transplant?

(1) Transplanting time: when arugula has grown two or three true leaves.

(2) Transplanting method: Dig out the seedlings together with the soil and roots, then dig a hole 8cm wide and 10cm deep at a spacing of 25cm between plants and 20cm between rows, and plant the seedlings into the holes.

4. Field management techniques: How to manage?

(1) Thinning and filling in seedlings: After the seedlings are successfully transplanted, promptly remove weak and dead seedlings, then transplant crowded seedlings to places without seedlings to ensure a full stand.

(2) Cultivation and weeding: After the seedlings are fully established, regularly pull out weeds in the field and shallowly loosen the soil to promote the growth of the seedlings.

(3) Water requirements: During the growth period of arugula, ensure sufficient water. During the plum rain season, carry out drainage measures well to prevent waterlogging damage.

(4) Fertilizer requirements: During the growth period of arugula, apply an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer and compound fertilizer every other week, and stop fertilizing one week before harvest.

(5) Pest and disease control: During the growth period of arugula, pests and diseases such as leaf spot, sclerotinia rot and diamondback moth may appear, so preventive measures should be taken in advance. For those already affected by pests or diseases, specialized pesticides can be used for control.

The above is a detailed introduction to what arugula is and its growing methods. I hope it is helpful to everyone.