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Arugula is one of the types of salad. This green plant in the wild can be found in many hot countries, but arugula began to be cultivated in the Mediterranean. Another name for this salad culture is eruka. It belongs to the cabbage family, so turnips, radishes, radishes, horseradish, cabbage can be considered relatives of arugula.
In Russia, eruka began to spread along with the popularity of Italian and Mediterranean culinary dishes, because it is an invariable component of most salads, pasta, risotto, pizza, seasonings and sauces.
How to grow arugula correctly in Russia, and which variety of this outlandish plant is better to choose - everything in our article is about everything.
What are the differences between arugula varieties
Eruka bushes in their structure resemble lettuce bushes: the lower leaves are collected in rosettes, the upper ones are covered with a small fluff or glossy, the shape of the leaves depends on the variety, it can be round with smooth edges or elongated with a wavy, zigzag edge.
Stems are slightly pubescent, even, their height reaches 30-60 cm. Inflorescences are rare, the shade of flowers can be white, yellow, purple. Arugula is considered good honey plant, it is loved by bees and other pollinating insects.
The flavors of eruka leaves largely depend on the variety of the plant. But the general notes are the same - it is nut and mustard. The taste of greens is spicy, slightly bitter, with sourness. Eruka can add spice to any dish, it can be added not only to sauces and seasonings, arugula is used to decorate sandwiches and snacks, it is added to soups and stews, it is an excellent filling for a pie.
The fruits of arugula are oval-shaped seed pods, in which small peas are located in two rows - seeds of a brown or brown shade.
Seeds appear quite quickly - 3 weeks after the appearance of the first shoots. They can be immediately collected and sown, because arugula can be grown throughout the season - from April to late summer.
The growing season of arugula is very short - from 25 to 35 days. After this period, the leaves become too hard and no longer fit for human consumption. By the time of ripening, the leaf reaches a length of about 10 cm. Eruki varieties are divided into early maturing and mid-maturing.
Variety "Dikovina"
This arugula can be classified as a mid-season variety - the greens ripen by about the 30th day after sowing the seeds into the soil. The height of the plant is about 20 cm, the stem of the eruka of this variety is even, slightly pubescent. The lower part is a rosette made of lyre-shaped leaves. Arugula "Curiosity" blooms with small cream-colored inflorescences.
The variety is distinguished by high taste characteristics, therefore it is often used to prepare a wide variety of dishes.
Variety "Arrows of Cupid"
One of the most popular among gardeners and culinary specialists is the Eruki variety. This arugula is mid-season - the leaves ripen by the 35th day after the first shoots appear.
Stems of this type of salad greens can be up to 30 cm in height, straight and smooth. The leaves are collected in rosettes, the shape of the leaves is carved, they are long and narrow. The inflorescences of the "Arrows of Cupid" variety can be recognized by their characteristic yellow tint. The bushes of this variety of arugula are a bit like dandelions.
Variety "Olivetta"
Arugula belongs to the early maturing varieties - the growing season is only three weeks. Bushes are straight, even, their height does not exceed 15-20 cm. The leaves are lyre-shaped, slightly oval, painted in a deep green color.
It is possible to distinguish the greens of the Olivetta variety by their characteristic, slightly bitter aftertaste and pronounced nutty aroma. These taste qualities are very highly appreciated by culinary experts; arugula of the "Olivetta" variety gives the dishes a special piquancy.
Variety "Rocket"
This type of eruki also ripens very quickly - just 20-23 days after the first sprouts have broken out of the ground, you can harvest arugula.
The arugula bushes are low - only 20 cm, the leaves are collected in rosettes, the shape of the leaves of the variety resembles feathers - they have carved, slightly rounded edges. The leaves are painted in a dark green shade. The taste of this greenery also has such a valuable nutty flavor; arugula of the "Rocket" variety can turn any bland dish into a culinary masterpiece.
Variety "Victoria"
An early ripe variety of arugula, ripening in just 20-25 days after sowing seeds in the beds. Bushes are formed by straight stems and rosettes of oval leaves. In height, the bushes of arugula variety "Victoria" do not exceed 15-20 cm.
This eruka is especially appreciated for the extremely high content of vitamins in delicate leaves.
Variety "Poker"
An early variety of arugula with a growing season of only three weeks. After this period of time, you can harvest healthy greens.
The leaves of this variety are large, long, painted in a rich green hue. Eruka blooms with cream-colored flowers, the variety reaches a maximum height of 20 cm.
A distinctive feature of the variety is a slightly sweetish taste with mustard notes.
Sort "Solitaire"
Refers to mid-season varieties, full ripening of greens occurs only 35-40 days after the seeds were sown. The leaves of the plant are dark green, their shape is dissected, elongated.
A characteristic feature of the arugula variety is a mustard-nutty flavor, which is especially valuable in cooking. This eruka will be great for sale in shops and markets!
Variety "Spartak"
An early variety, the growing season is only 19-25 days. The height of the bushes can reach 18-20 cm. Eruka of the "Spartak" variety is unique for its dietary composition, it contains the maximum amount of essential oils and vitamins.
Arugula of this variety can be grown in heated greenhouses, this will allow you to harvest greenery all year round.
How to grow arugula
In the climate of Russia, salad culture can be grown in several ways:
- In the southern regions or the temperate climate of the middle lane, the method of planting seeds directly on the beds is quite suitable. In order for the seeds to hatch and the first shoots to appear, the earth must warm up to 9-16 degrees. This temperature in the central part of Russia is established mainly by mid-April - early May. During this period, arugula seeds are sown for open ground. The best varieties for such plantings are early maturing. After three weeks, when the first plantings of eruki are ripe, you can harvest the seeds and sow the arugula again. So, during one season, it turns out to grow several harvests of salad greens, and always have fresh arugula on the table.
- In the northern regions, where springs are lingering and cold, the ripening of eruka can be accelerated by planting seeds in protected ground. The beds are prepared in advance (two to three weeks in advance), they dig up the ground, remove weedsspill the soil with boiling water for disinfection. Seeds are sown in the same way as in open ground - with an interval between rows of 35-40 cm, and between seeds - 2-3 cm. Arugula is grown in greenhouses and hotbeds all year round.
- The seedling method is suitable for those who want to speed up the maturation of green salad even more. For this, the seeds are sown in cups, pots or boxes. The germination of arugula seeds is quite high, so there is no need to soak and pre-germinate them.The seeds are deepened no more than 1.5 cm into the ground (ordinary garden soil or any seedling mixture that is sold in agricultural stores will do). After 4-5 days, the first shoots already appear. When there are two true leaves on the plants, they are dived into peat or disposable cups. The grown seedlings are transferred to the beds or to the greenhouse, arugula should be transplanted together with an earthen lump. The distance between the bushes should be at least 15-20 cm.
- Another way to get delicious greens is to grow arugula on a windowsill or balcony. This plant is very unpretentious, eruka does not need special conditions and complex care. Greens grow at a temperature of 18-20 degrees, it needs to be watered well and ripe leaves should be cut off in time. Seeds are sown in pots or boxes at a certain interval. After 25-30 days, you can harvest the first crop, and in order to feast on the herbs for a longer time, arugula seeds are sown again in other pots.
Do this when the plants have two leaves. About 15-20 cm are left between adjacent sprouts, the rest are pulled out (they can be used for salads and other dishes).
Gardeners argue that too thick plantings impair the taste and nutritional characteristics of arugula - the plants lack water and trace elements from the soil.
Beneficial features
Regardless of the variety, arugula has a number of useful and even medicinal properties. Eruka is a good "doctor" for many diseases:
- stomach or intestinal ulcers;
- predisposition to cancer;
- some diseases of the kidneys and bladder;
- skin diseases and hematomas;
- reduced immunity;
- anemia;
- lack of iodine;
- vitamin deficiency and scurvy.
These greens are high in essential oils and flavonoids, which significantly increases the risk of developing an allergic reaction. Also, caution should be exercised by pregnant and lactating mothers.
Such a large number of medicinal properties is due to the rich composition of arugula. It contains not only flavonoids and alkaloids that prevent the development of cancerous tumors and other serious diseases, but also a lot of vitamins and minerals, such as:
- calcium;
- potassium;
- iodine;
- iron;
- magnesium;
- steroids;
- acetic and malic acid;
- mustard oil;
- vitamins of group C and B.
Due to the fact that arugula has a very pleasant spicy taste, it can be added to almost any dish. So getting all the useful vitamins and minerals will not be difficult.
Rules for caring for arugula plantings
Caring for arugula plantations, in principle, is simple. But non-observance of simple rules will inevitably lead to a deterioration in the taste of this salad greens.
In order for arugula to have a delicate taste and spicy aroma, the following conditions must be observed when growing it:
- Arugula seeds of any variety can be bought in specialized stores, or you can collect them yourself from your own harvest.
- The optimal temperature for growing arugula is considered to be a range of 14-18 degrees. Based on this, and you need to choose the method of planting greens and the place of its cultivation.
- Some varieties of arugula seedlings can withstand temperatures as low as -7 degrees. However, the delicate greens will not endure prolonged frosts. If there is a risk of frost, it is better to cover the eruka with foil or agrofibre (at least overnight).
- You need to water the beds often, almost every day. The soil near the arugula should always be slightly damp. If this rule is not followed, the greens become bitter and turn into color.
- The looseness of the soil is also important. After each watering, the beds must be puffed with a hoe, so the roots of the eruka will receive the necessary amount of air and oxygen.
- You need to fertilize the bushes once or twice during the entire growing season. Considering that arugula fully ripens in three to four weeks, it cannot be fertilized with mineral and organic preparations. Toxins will accumulate in the leaves, which will not have time to decompose in such a short period. Eruka needs to be fertilized with a nitrogen composition, bringing it to the beds along with watering. Dissolved in water is also suitable chicken droppings or rotted cow dung.
- Only very nutritious soils are allowed not to fertilize. If arugula does not receive all the necessary trace elements, its composition will also become scarce - it will no longer be so useful.
- The soil for growing eruki must have a high calcium content, so the soil is lime before sowing the seeds.
- When growing arugula, it is important to observe the crop rotation: the greens are best planted in the place where pumpkin crops, legumes, carrots, and potatoes grew last season. However, you should avoid beds that have been growing cabbage and other cruciferous crops for three years. Arugula and these plants have the same diseases that can be transmitted through contaminated soil.
- It is necessary to cut off mature eruka leaves on time, otherwise they will become tough and bitter in taste. You can determine maturity by the length of the leaf - optimally, it should reach 10 cm.
All varieties of arugula perfectly tolerate the domestic climate, therefore they can be grown simply in the beds. In order not to go to the supermarket for greens in winter, you can plant an eruka on a windowsill or in a heated greenhouse.
