Get To Know The Different Types Of Arugula

Arugula, which is also known as Eruca sativa, will get you hooked from the first peppery bite. You will be amazed to know that there are so many different types of arugula. Types of arugula are what will be listed here.

This leafy green will have you falling in love with its peppery deliciousness except, you’re yet to have a taste of one of its varieties that you will like. Or it might be that it’s the bagged one sold at the grocery store that you’ve eaten.

The Arugula plant is an annual leafy vegetable that grows very fast such that you can begin to harvest the leaves in just a few weeks. It belongs to the mustard family grown as a salad green that is flavorful.

Its flavor is kind of tart and peppery. The leaves are usually 3 to 6 inches in length and are deeply lobed. Arugula usually grows in rosettes. Since it’s a cold season vegetable, arugula should be planted at the beginning of spring or late summer.

Let’s take a look at some of the types of arugula varieties that you can grow in your vegetable garden.

Types Of Arugula: Some Of The Best Varieties

Below are some deliciously zippy varieties that you can consider growing in your garden.

1.    Italian Cress

Italian Cress is a good addition to sandwiches and salads, with its lettuce-like leaves that are large. Unlike other skinnier varieties, each leaf of the Italian cress is packed with lots of greens that are edible which makes.

This makes this variety perfect for those who will be impatient with the skinnier varieties. This way, you don’t have to pick so many leaves at once for your salads. This variety is as well perfect for gardeners with limited space and indoor planting of greens over the winter. In just 30 days, Italian Cress will reach maturity.

These large leaves will taste so well in soups and stews or sautéed like spinach.

2.    Astro

The Astro cultivar’s mild but peppery flavor may be a perfect recommendation for those who like arugula but are not the too spicy type. You can harvest the baby greens around 3 weeks or better still be patient till the 38^th day for tender leaves that are mature.

You can also brighten up your salads with edible white flowers. But once the plant starts producing flowers, the leaves will somehow taste a bit sharper.

3.    Slow bolt

The arugula plant can grow more quickly and bolt during hot weather. A confirmation that it can set flowers and go to seed a bit faster than harvesting it.

For gardeners living in zones 8 and above in the USDA that are hardy, the heirloom ‘Slow Bolt’ is a win-win. Compared to some other non-slow-bolting varieties, the ‘Slow bolt’ variety matures in 43 days.

And you get to have more time to harvest the mild baby leaves. These larger mature leaves can be added in your salads and sandwiches and also in stews and soups to get a mild peppery flavor.

4.    Garden Tangy

Garden tangy is a cultivar from Italy and as well can be used to garnish all Italian-style dishes perfectly. It has frilly leaf edges reminiscent of kale and a spicy flavor. It also has this ‘Garden Tangy’ flavor in pasta dishes, salads, and many more and it matures very fast.

You can sure pluck 10-12 inches leaves from the plant of this variety in just 30 to 35 days. The Garden Tangy thrives in cool weather and sunshine just like all other arugula varieties.

Sow Right Seeds – Arugula Seed for Planting – Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds

5.    Red Dragon

This variety, out of the types of arugula, has serrated leaves like the shape of an oak leaf. The difference is that the ‘Red Dragon’ cultivar leaves have a red vein branch at the center, unlike the oak tree leaves.

This variety will be perfect for a nice salad. Due to its not-so-peppery flavor, it can be served to guests that have not eaten arugula before for a full flavor of the vegetable but not with an imposed trial impression.

This variety grows slowly. It matures in 45 days with a mature height of 5 to 6 inches.

The Ideal Period To Plant Arugula

Generally, it takes 40 days from seeding for arugula to be ready for harvesting. Well, it is possible to have two arugula seasons if you time it right. The first can be during spring to the beginning of summer and then another at the end of summer into fall.

However, the midsummer is not really a good time because it won’t grow well in the high heat. As soon as the soil is workable during spring, you can begin planting.

If you want to harvest continuously, you should plant more additional seeds every two to three weeks till the weather becomes hot in summer or frosty during fall. Arugula is also tolerant of frost and light freezing cold too.

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Planting Arugula

Here is a brief on planting arugula:

• When planning arugula, sow seeds about quarter-inch deep then one inch apart in rows 10 inches apart.
•  You should begin to notice seeds sprouting in about a week. A bonus tip for speeding up germination is soaking seeds in water for a few hours before you plant.
• Then new seeds can be sown every 2 or 3 weeks so you can enjoy non-stop harvest later.

Conclusion On Types Of Arugula

Arugula tends to grow faster and it has a bolder flavor compared to other greens. There are different types of arugula that you can always enjoy. Types of arugula have been listed in this post.

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