Learn how to grow arugula at home with easy 2025 tips. Get advice on planting, care, harvesting, and pest control for fresh, flavorful greens.
Ashley Scott shares 7 ways to grow arugula for a peppery harvest. Easy tips for planting, watering, and pest control in your vegetable garden!
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
- Prepare the soil: Loosen it 6–8 inches deep, add compost.
- Sow seeds directly outdoors. Space them 1 inch apart in rows about 10 inches apart.
- Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches once they sprout. (I eat the thinnings as microgreens.)
- Keep soil evenly moist until seeds germinate.
For extra reading, RHS has a great resource on growing leafy greens.
Caring for Arugula
Watering
- Needs consistent moisture, especially in warmer weather.
- Don’t let it dry out completely, or leaves turn bitter.
Fertilizer
- I skip heavy fertilizer. Compost or a light all-purpose feed is enough.
- Too much nitrogen makes the leaves huge but less flavorful.
Pests and Problems
- Watch for flea beetles — they leave tiny holes in leaves.
- Floating row covers help protect young plants.
- If you’re dealing with other garden bugs, see my guide on tree bugs.
For pest management tips, University of Minnesota Extension has solid advice.
Harvesting Arugula
This is the fun part.
- Start harvesting baby leaves in 3 weeks.
- For mature leaves, wait 30–40 days.
- Pick outer leaves first, let the plant keep growing.
- Or cut the whole plant at once for a fresh batch of greens.
If the plant starts to flower, leaves turn bitter. I pull mine, compost it, and replant for a fresh crop.
My Personal Tips
- I like sowing small batches every 2 weeks — keeps me in fresh greens all season.
- In summer, I move arugula pots to my porch where they get morning sun and afternoon shade.
- If it bolts early, I let a few plants flower and collect seeds for next season.
- I mix arugula with spinach and kale for cut-and-come-again salads.
Want more leafy inspiration? Take a look at my guide on flowers that start with D — plenty of edible blossoms pair nicely with arugula in salads.
Troubleshooting
- Leaves too spicy or bitter: Weather too hot, not enough water.
- Plants bolting: Long days and high heat — plant earlier or provide shade.
- Holes in leaves: Flea beetles or slugs. Use row covers or hand-pick slugs in the evening.
For detailed disease info, see Clemson Extension.
Learn More from Experts
- RHS – Growing Salad Crops
- University of Minnesota Extension
- Clemson Cooperative Extension
- Old Farmer’s Almanac
- Better Homes & Gardens – Leafy Greens Guide
Final Thought
Growing arugula is one of the easiest ways to enjoy homegrown food quickly. With these 2025 tips, you’ll have fresh, flavorful greens in your kitchen in just a few weeks.
If you found this helpful, explore more guides at USA Garden Hub and keep your garden thriving every season.
