First attempt at growing Rocket

[Happymouse]

I have tried growing Rocket for the first time this year. Only a tiny patch about 3 x 2 ft. It has lovely white 4 petaled flowers on it. Is it going to seed already ? It doesn't look big enough to eat. I was expecting it to grow like lettuce and be a lot bigger ?

[peter]

Happymouse, ripped mine out Thursday as it was flowering, eaten at the size of a small oakleaf is best.
However even at the size I binned you can strip the new/smaller leaves up near the flowers. The smell of rocket is just so gorgeous, rich uuummmm.

Will be sowing some more this weekend I hope.

[Zena]

I've sown some too, but nothing's happening yet...
fingers crossed!

[Carole B.]

If you want a nice zingy leaf for your salad that's not as much trouble as rocket try French Sorrel,sown in pots to pick young or as a permanant clump in the garden. It doesn't suffer from flea beetle or bolt at the first sign of hot weather and it even makes a good soup! The leaves have a fresh lemony tang and you don't need many to perk up a salad.

[tracie]

you are right its not very big, you will need to sow more as it bolts very quickly

[Happymouse]

The Rocket flowers look lovely in a small glass vase on the patio table. I will try growing them again next year now that you have helped me understand them. Thank you all

[Tigger]

It will bolt in this heat. Very little you can do to stop it, apart from a perennial soaking.

can I suggest you try a mixed leaf salad or a spicy mixed leaf - both of which are just doing fine!

[Johnboy]

Hi Tigger,
May I enquire what a perennial soaking is?

[Happymouse]

Thank you. I will try the alternatives. I am pleased to find the slugs ignored the Rocket. Maybe I will grow it again as a slug deterrent

[Tigger]

If onlt I knew JB!