Category: Gardening

The First Days of Wild Rocket

2025-07-12 /
The image shows a close-up view of newly sprouted wild rocket (arugula) seedlings emerging from dark, moist soil. Each seedling has a slender, pale stem and two small, rounded green cotyledons—the first leaves after germination. The seedlings appear densely packed, some standing upright, others leaning slightly. The lighting is soft, emphasizing the freshness and fragility of this early growth phase.

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.

New beginnings – in the shade

2025-07-11 /
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.

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