As you know, Arugula is one of the most popular spices in salads, sandwiches, or pizza. Their special flavor has created a special appeal for many dishes. Furthermore, Arugula plants are rich in fiber and vitamins that are good for human health. Its effect is to prevent cardiovascular diseases, and cancer and maintain a slim figure.
Therefore, many people love growing Arugula in the garden as a familiar spice in many dishes. The process of growing Arugula is not too complicated, and you can completely follow the steps of sowing and caring for it like regular vegetables. If you are learning about Arugula growing stages, we will provide you with detailed information about each stage.
Arugula Growing Stages: From Seed To Maturity
Arugula growing stages will include seven stages such as sowing, germination, young plants, mature plants, flowering plants, fruiting plants, and dry plants. Join us to learn about the characteristics and notes in each stage of development of Arugula.
Seed Stage
Arugula is grown from seeds like some other common vegetables. Arugula seeds are small, round, brown, gray or black. To start an Arugula crop, gardeners will prepare the soil and plant the seeds.
During the seed selection process, you need to choose seeds from mature plants that are healthy and free of pests. Seed quality is an important factor in determining the germination rate of seeds after sowing in the ground. Fresh seeds will have a higher germination rate than old seeds. In addition, seeds that are well stored in well-ventilated conditions and cool temperatures also have better germination rates.
Seed Germination Stage
You can sow Arugula seeds directly into beds of improved soil that are full of nutrients. During the first few days, you need to maintain moist soil to create favorable conditions for seeds to germinate. In addition, if weather conditions or external factors affect the germination of Arugula seeds, you should sow the seeds in nursery trays. Sowing Arugula seeds in nursery trays will help you control the ideal temperature and humidity.
Under ideal conditions, Arugula seeds will germinate 3-4 days after being sown in the ground. Small roots will begin to cling to the soil, and two small leaves will continue to grow. The growth rate in the next few days of Arugula will be very fast. The roots will grow quickly, and the first two leaves will also grow quickly. You should plant a large number of seeds because many seeds will not germinate due to various factors. Even when you have carefully selected your seeds, the number of seeds that do not germinate can still be high.
Young Plant Growth Stage
After Arugula seeds germinate, they will begin their journey as young plants. Young vegetable plants usually have few, soft, and short roots, the number of leaves is about 2-3, and the stems are very weak. During this period, young vegetable plants also need careful care to avoid the negative effects of weather such as high winds, heavy rain, or too much sunlight. Excessive negative effects will destroy the entire young plant. During the young plant stage, you need to water regularly to keep the soil moist and supplement nutrients and sunlight to stimulate photosynthesis and metabolic activity.
Additionally, if you plant Arugula seeds in a nursery tray, you will need to transplant them into the ground. When the plants are about 10-15 days old, healthy, and strong, you can transplant the young plants into the ground. However, you should pay attention to the distance between each tree to avoid density being too thick or too sparse.
The Period When Young Plants Grow Strongly
After the young Arugula plants have adapted to the environment and the roots have attached to the soil, they will enter a period of strong growth. The roots continue to grow longer and stick deeper into the soil to absorb nutrients. Meanwhile, the leaves and stems will begin to lengthen significantly. During this stage, young plants still need plenty of water, nutrients, and sunlight to grow.
After about 6-8 weeks from the date of sowing or sooner, you can start harvesting the first vegetable leaves. However, you should only harvest 1/3 of the leaves on each vegetable plant at a time. Proper harvesting will help you prolong the harvest time of vegetable leaves about ten times until the plants are old. Additionally, if you want to harvest Arugula faster, you can apply the hydroponic growing method. Arugula harvesting time will be shortened to 20 to 25 days.
The Flowering Stage Of Plants
Arugula will begin to flower once the plants have been growing for 8-10 weeks. Small white flowers will begin to appear once the plant has matured. The leaves of Arugula during this stage will have a more bitter, chewy, and strong taste. Therefore, many people will not consume leafy vegetables during this time. You can still eat the flowers of Arugula, and their flavor is quite similar to the leaves. If you want to get Arugula seeds, take care of the plants until they bear fruit and form seeds. Arugula plants can self-pollinate or cross-pollinate in a number of different varieties. Beneficial insects such as bees or butterflies will be effective assistants for Arugula during pollination.
The Stage Where Plants Bear Fruit And Form Seeds
When the flowers of Arugula have matured, they will produce fruit and form seeds inside. The fruit of Arugula is elongated, and each plant will produce many fruits and seeds inside. To harvest these seeds, you need to wait until the fruit has dried and turned brown or black. The outer skin of the fruit will also be dry and brittle. So, you need to pick them down and squeeze them gently to get the Arugula seeds inside.
The Stage When Plants Wither And Die
After Arugula plants flower and form fruit, they will dry and die after a few weeks. The leaves, stems, and roots of Arugula will wither and fall to the ground. It is the end of the growth cycle of Arugula from sowing until the seeds are extracted from the fruit. You can collect the dried stems and burn them to use as fertilizer or compost them with other organic materials.
Read more: Will Arugula Grow Back After Cutting?
Summary
Arugula growing stages may be shorter than some other popular vegetables. The life cycle of Arugula will begin when you sow the seeds. The seeds germinate after 3-4 days, and young plants begin to form with the first leaves. The plants will then be pruned or transplanted into the ground if sown in nursery trays. When Arugula vegetables absorb enough nutrients they will grow quickly and mature.
You can harvest them when they are 20 to 25 days depending on the habitat. Harvest the bottom leaves when they are about 2-3 inches long. You only prune 1/3 of the leaves at a time on a plant to extend harvest time. After 8-10 weeks, Arugula will mature, flower, form fruit and form seeds. You can harvest the seeds when the shell of the fruit has dried, and the stem has withered.