Arugula, also known as rocket, is a popular leafy green valued for its distinctive peppery flavor. It is an excellent candidate for the cut-and-come-again harvesting method, which allows for multiple harvests from a single plant, significantly extending the period you can enjoy fresh leaves from your garden. This approach focuses on selective removal of foliage, encouraging the plant to continually regenerate new leaves from its center. This strategic harvesting maintains a steady supply of tender greens throughout the cool-weather growing season.
Applying the Cut-and-Come-Again Method
The cut-and-come-again method relies on protecting the plant’s growth center while removing mature leaves. Begin harvesting when the leaves are approximately four to six inches long, typically 30 to 40 days after planting. Focus on the older, larger leaves located on the exterior, leaving the smaller, newer growth in the center untouched. It is crucial to leave the central growing point, or crown, intact, as this is where the plant produces its next set of leaves.
Use clean scissors or sharp snips to cut the outer leaves at the base of the stem, near the soil line. Cutting individual leaves minimizes the risk of exposed stem wounds that could invite pests or disease. Never remove more than one-third of the plant’s total foliage at a single time. Harvesting too aggressively prevents the plant from photosynthesizing effectively, hindering rapid and vigorous regrowth.
Maximizing Regrowth and Yield
After harvest, consistent moisture levels are necessary to support the rapid production of new leaves. Arugula is a fast-growing plant, and regular watering helps it recover and push out new growth. Ensure the soil remains evenly moist, especially after a significant harvest. Drought stress can prematurely signal the plant to end its vegetative phase.
Regeneration of green leafy tissue demands sufficient nitrogen. A light application of a balanced liquid fertilizer or a nitrogen boost can be highly beneficial after a major cutting. This feeding replenishes nutrients and fuels the development of the next batch. Managing the plant’s environment is also important to encourage leafy growth over reproduction. Arugula prefers cooler conditions and will benefit from partial shade during the hottest part of the day, particularly in late spring and early summer.
Recognizing the End of the Harvest Cycle
Arugula’s cut-and-come-again phase is temporary, as the plant is programmed to complete its life cycle by producing seeds. The end of this phase is marked by “bolting,” where the plant shifts energy from leaf production to flower and seed production. The primary environmental triggers for bolting are rising temperatures, typically above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and increasing daylight hours.
Visual cues for bolting include the plant rapidly increasing in height and developing a tall, central flower stalk. The leaves also change shape, becoming more deeply lobed or serrated than the original, tender foliage. Once bolting begins, the leaves develop an intensely bitter flavor due to chemical compounds produced by the plant. Although the leaves remain safe to eat, the undesirable flavor signals the end of the useful harvest period for fresh salad greens.