Why does my rocket keep bolting?

Heat + long days. Rocket bolts to flower in summer conditions. Five strategies. (1) Sow in cool months only: March–May for spring, August–September for autumn. (2) Skip June, July, early August: midsummer sowings will bolt before producing leaves. (3) Plant wild rocket — more bolt-resistant than garden rocket. (4) Sow in part shade in summer — cooler position delays bolting. (5) Water consistently — drought triggers bolting faster than heat alone.

What's the difference between garden rocket and wild rocket?

Different species, different growth and flavour. Garden rocket (Eruca vesicaria): smooth oval leaves, fast (3 weeks from sowing), milder flavour, annual, bolts quickly. The classic supermarket-bag rocket. Wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia): deeply-cut narrow leaves, slower (5–6 weeks), hotter and more pungent flavour, more perennial-ish, more bolt-resistant. Most UK gardeners grow both — garden rocket for quick salad bulk, wild rocket for stronger flavour and reliability through summer.

When can I pick rocket?

3–4 weeks after sowing for garden rocket; 5–6 weeks for wild rocket. Cut whole rows at 2–3 cm above soil when leaves are 8–10 cm tall. Cut-and-come-again: the plant regrows in 7–10 days; repeat 3–4 cuts before the row finally bolts. Use fresh — rocket wilts within hours of picking and the peppery heat fades over a few days in the fridge.

Why does my rocket have tiny holes in the leaves?

Flea beetle damage. Tiny dark beetles jump like fleas when disturbed and feed on brassica leaves, leaving pinprick shot-hole damage. Cosmetic damage — leaves are still edible. Prevention: cover the row with fine insect mesh (1 mm) from sowing through cropping. Sow under cover in September for winter crops — flea beetle is absent in cold months. Wild rocket is also slightly more flea-beetle resistant than garden rocket.

Can I grow rocket in a pot?

Yes — pots make slug control and positioning easier. A 25 cm pot of peat-free compost holds 30–40 rocket plants. Sow thinly, thin to 3–5 cm. Position in part shade in summer (delays bolting) or full sun in cooler months. Water consistently. For winter use: position pots on a sunny windowsill or in a cold greenhouse — rocket crops slowly through winter indoors. Continuous supply: sow a fresh pot every 3 weeks; three pots in rotation gives continuous rocket.

Are rocket flowers edible?

Yes — and they're better than the leaves for some uses. The small four-petalled flowers (cream-yellow on garden rocket, brighter yellow on wild rocket) have a stronger version of the leaf flavour — peppery, mustardy, with floral notes. Scatter on salads as a garnish — striking visual contrast. Pickle in white wine vinegar for a strongly-flavoured condiment. Pluck individual flowers rather than eating them on the stem (stems are tough). Don't pick all flowers; leave some to set seed for self-sown volunteers.

Rukola

Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa

Sow rocket direct from March to September, in sun or part shade in moist soil — it's one of the fastest UK salad crops, ready to pick 3–4 weeks from sowing as cut-and-come-again leaves with their distinctive peppery mustard flavour. Rocket is hardy (RHS H4–H5) but bolts to flower in heat — successional sowing every 3 weeks is essential, and most UK gardens grow rocket best in spring and autumn rather than midsummer. Two species: garden rocket (Eruca vesicaria) is the fast-growing annual, ready in 3 weeks; wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is the smaller-leaved, hotter, more pungent perennial-ish form that takes longer but is more bolt-resistant. Cut at the base with scissors when leaves are 8–10 cm — the plant regrows for 3–4 cuts before bolting. Flea beetle is the main pest — fine mesh covers, or sow under cover.

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