Month: July 2025
From dark, moist soil, the first delicate stems of wild rocket stretch toward the light. Still small and fragile, yet full of energy, the seedlings begin to unfold their first leaves – a quiet expression of vitality and new beginnings.
What grows here is more than just a salad green: wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) symbolizes resilience, wildness, and a return to natural, unprocessed food. Its finely cut, slightly spicy leaves not only add flavor to meals, but also reconnect us with the earth and the natural cycle of life.
Wild Rocket at a Glance
- Botanical name: Diplotaxis tenuifolia
- Family Brassicaceae: (mustard family)
- Growth habit: Perennial, deeply cut leaves, about 15–30 cm tall
- Preferred location: Sunny to semi-shaded; well-drained soil
- Flavor: Peppery, slightly sharp, nutty
- Nutrients: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, mustard oils (glucosinolates)
- Effects: Antioxidative, antibacterial, supports digestion
- Uses: Fresh in salads, on pizza, with pasta, or as a flavor accent on bread
- Growing: Easy – suitable for gardens, raised beds, or balcony pots
Wild Rocket – Spicy, Healthy, and Hardy
Wild rocket, also known as arugula, is a leafy plant with narrow, jagged leaves and a strong, peppery taste. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family – the same plant family as mustard, radishes, and cabbage.
Unlike the common salad arugula (Eruca sativa), wild rocket is more robust. It often grows as a perennial – meaning: once sown, it can return and regrow over several years. It also tolerates dry conditions well.
Wild rocket is rich in nutrients
Vitamin C – supports the immune system and helps protect cells.
Vitamin K – important for healthy blood clotting and bones.
Folate (Folic acid) – supports cell growth, especially during periods of development.
Mustard oils (Glucosinolates) – plant compounds that give rocket its sharp flavor. They have antibacterial effects (can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria) and are antioxidative*.
*Antioxidative means: they help the body neutralize “free radicals” – unstable molecules that can put stress on cells. This supports the natural balance in the body.
Wild rocket goes well with many dishes
In salads, on pizza, with pasta, or simply fresh on bread. And best of all: it’s easy to grow – in the garden, in pots, or on a balcony.
This sun is too intense—even for heat-tolerant plants.
Most of the young seedlings didn’t survive direct sowing.
So: a new attempt.
This time, we’re starting in the shade.
We’re also adding mulch to help the soil retain moisture, and a few earthworms have joined the planting containers to gently loosen the earth from within.
Now growing: basil, mint, oregano, calendula, snack cucumber, pak choi and mini pak choi, borage, purple broccoli, dill, coriander, radishes, arugula, sage, Malabar spinach, strawberry spinach, thyme, and a colorful mix of edible-leaf flowers.
Later, some of these plants will be placed together in large grow bags—because they support each other by attracting beneficial insects, deterring pests, and contributing to root health.
Others, like mint, will be planted separately to keep them from taking over all the space.
There’ll also be one wildly mixed container:
I had prepared six small pots—but then everything fell to the ground. A mix of terra preta, potting soil, and a whole lot of seeds.
So I scooped it all into a large planter box and began again, replanting the little pots one by one.
Most of the young seedlings didn’t survive direct sowing.
So: a new attempt.
This time, we’re starting in the shade.
We’re also adding mulch to help the soil retain moisture, and a few earthworms have joined the planting containers to gently loosen the earth from within.
Now growing: basil, mint, oregano, calendula, snack cucumber, pak choi and mini pak choi, borage, purple broccoli, dill, coriander, radishes, arugula, sage, Malabar spinach, strawberry spinach, thyme, and a colorful mix of edible-leaf flowers.
Later, some of these plants will be placed together in large grow bags—because they support each other by attracting beneficial insects, deterring pests, and contributing to root health.
Others, like mint, will be planted separately to keep them from taking over all the space.
There’ll also be one wildly mixed container:
I had prepared six small pots—but then everything fell to the ground. A mix of terra preta, potting soil, and a whole lot of seeds.
So I scooped it all into a large planter box and began again, replanting the little pots one by one.
Banks of Deep Listening
🌟 Attention please – Mindfulness & Meditation People! 🌟
I just had an idea I’d love to explore with you.
It’s a simple, low-threshold mindfulness offering for public spaces—especially places where people already pause: benches in parks, schoolyards, hospital gardens, or outside workplaces.
The practice centers around mindful listening—gently tuning into the sounds inside and around us.
It’s not about “doing meditation” in the formal sense, but about creating the conditions for a meditative state to arise—naturally, effortlessly.
But more than that, it’s about (re-)connecting people:
with themselves, their surroundings, and each other.
And over time, it could become a seed for Compassionate Communities—local micro-networks of presence, care, and quiet solidarity.
I’d love to develop this idea together with others who are experienced in mindfulness, meditation, or contemplative practice.
🌀 I’m planning to host one or two Zoom ComeTogethers, scheduled at different times (morning/evening), so people from different time zones and schedules can take part.
If this resonates with you, please comment below or send me a message.
Let’s co-create something simple, grounded—and quietly transformative.
Warmly,
Marc