Rukola: an easy way to grow at home in a few weeks

Rukola is one of the most popular Mediterranean spices that is easy to grow even in temperate climate in Ukraine. It is not difficult to grow rucol – the most important thing to know the basic rules for planting, maintenance and harvesting.

What is Rukola?

Rukola is an annual cabbage family, also known as a rocket-salota, err or mustard grass. In the wild, it is common in Asia and North Africa and is industrially grown in Europe.

The adult plant reaches up to 20 cm in height, forms light flowers, and after flowering – pod with seeds. The plant is demanding and growing fast, so it can be sown several times a season.

Rukola is particularly popular in regions with warm spring and long summer. It is suitable for both large garden and balcony pots.

In Rukolu money

The leaves and stems of the plant are used for food, usually green. Rukola gets E, K, PP, C, B3 and minerals: iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium. Its properties include bactericidal, diuretic and expectorant effect.

It improves digestion, speeds up metabolism and has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Greens are recommended for those who follow diets or need to increase hemoglobin levels. However, care should be taken for people with kidney, gallbladder disease or increased stomach acidity.

Popular Rukola varieties

Olivetta, Victoria, Kupidon Arrows and Dikovina are distinguished among the annual breeds.

• Olivetta – an early variety, yields in 21 days, has a mild taste with a mild bitterness.
• Viktorija matures within 25 days, grows up to 15 cm and has a lot of vitamins – ideal for growing at home.
• Kupidon arrows are a medium early variety with large leaves, harvest can be harvested after 35 days.
• Dikovina also medium early, forming a large leaf rosette up to 30 cm.
• The two -year -old “Operations” winter overwinter in open ground, and in spring it gives new sprouts.

Rules of Seeding in Open Ground

For sowing, the plot should be built and the ground clutches. The seeds are sown in the furrow of up to 2 cm deep, 30 cm between the rows. Before sowing, the ground is well moistened and the seeds are sprinkled with a mixture of sand and soil.

In the event of early spring planting, the beds are covered with a film at night. Seedlings appear already 5-7 days after sowing. Rukola grows best after potatoes, carrots or tomatoes, but not after cabbage crops.

Rukola and care

Rukola requires regular watering, especially during the dry period. Lack of moisture leaves become bitter, so the soil should be constantly slightly moist. In the open soil, weeds are necessarily removed and the ground is scattered after watering.

It is possible to spray with a spray at home with daily control of soil moisture. If the plant grows in fertile soil, no fertilizer is required. Otherwise, compost or mulch from dry grass or peat is used.

For those planning to grow rucol at home, on the balcony or on the windowsill, it is important to ensure sufficient lighting. Rukola likes sunny places, so in winter or on cloudy days, additional artificial lighting may be needed.

It should also be borne in mind that Rukola is growing rapidly, so it needs to be regularly picked to encourage the emergence of new leaves. The optimum growth temperature of Rukola is 16-18 ° C, so it is better to keep it in a cool place during the heat during the heat.

Photos associative © canva

Source: https://www.bc.ua/