How to Harvest Arugula for a Continuous Supply of Fresh Greens
Harvesting Arugula
Arugula is one of those garden gems that keeps on giving if you harvest it right. If you’ve been growing this peppery green herb and are wondering how to enjoy it for as long as possible, the key is all in the harvesting technique. By picking the outer leaves and using a few strategic planting tricks, you can ensure a steady supply of fresh arugula throughout the season.
Let’s dig into how to harvest arugula for a continuous harvest and keep those salad bowls full.
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Harvesting Arugula
One of the best things about arugula is that you don’t have to harvest the entire plant all at once. Instead, you can take a “cut-and-come-again” approach, which allows the plant to keep producing leaves over time and extends your harvest. Here’s how:
Wait until the plant is mature: The beauty of arugula is how quickly it matures. You can start harvesting baby leaves when they’re about 3 inches tall, or let the plants grow a little longer for larger, spicier leaves. A general rule of thumb is once your arugula has grown to about 3-6 inches tall, it’s ready to start harvesting. You’ll notice that the outer leaves are larger, while the inner ones are still small and tender.
The arugula is ready to be harvested.
Pick the outer leaves: Using a pair of scissors or garden shears, snip off the larger, outer leaves at the base of the plant. Make sure to leave the inner, smaller leaves untouched, as they will continue to grow and provide more greens for future harvests.
Take your shears and cut the bottom of the outer most leaves.
Avoid over-harvesting: Take about a third of the plant’s leaves at a time. This ensures that the plant has enough energy to keep growing and producing new leaves.
By harvesting only the outer leaves, you encourage the plant to keep growing from the center, which extends the lifespan of your arugula crop and keeps your garden productive.
After harvesting the larger outer leaves. You only want to harvest 1/3 of the plant at a time.
Successive Sowing for a Continuous Harvest
In addition to harvesting the outer leaves, one of the best ways to ensure a continuous supply of arugula is by successively sowing seeds. Arugula grows quickly, and by planting seeds in intervals, you’ll always have a fresh crop ready to harvest. Here’s how to do it:
Sow seeds every 2-3 weeks: After your initial planting, make a note to sow more arugula seeds every 2-3 weeks. This way, as one batch starts to slow down, the next one will be ready for harvest.
Choose cool weather: Since arugula is a cool-weather crop, you can sow seeds in early spring or fall. If you’re gardening in the middle of summer, look for a shaded spot or use a shade cloth to prevent bolting in hot weather.
Staggered planting: You don’t have to dedicate a large area to arugula all at once. Plant in smaller sections, and once the first section is nearing the end of its harvest, the next will be ready to take over.
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Extending Your Arugula Harvest
To make the most out of your arugula plants, keep a few tips in mind:
Water regularly: Arugula likes moist soil, so be sure to water consistently, especially during dry spells. This helps the plants stay healthy and produce new leaves after each harvest.
Mulch: Adding a layer of mulch around your arugula plants can help keep the soil cool and retain moisture, which is especially helpful in warmer weather.
Prevent bolting: As temperatures rise, arugula may bolt, sending up a flower stalk and turning the leaves bitter. To delay bolting, keep your plants well-watered and consider planting in a spot with afternoon shade.
Enjoying Your Harvest
With these harvesting methods, you can enjoy arugula fresh from your garden for weeks on end. Whether you’re tossing it into salads, using it as a garnish, or adding it to sandwiches, the trick to a continuous supply is a combination of harvesting smart and planting frequently. So get out there, snip those outer leaves, and keep the arugula coming!
