When to plant Rocket in Cambridge

Eruca vesicaria

Rocket
Rocket · Eruca vesicaria

Fast-growing leafy salad rocket for the UK garden. Sow little and often from spring to early autumn for a steady supply of peppery leaves, and keep the soil evenly moist in warm spells to slow bolting.

25 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May

Sow outdoors April to September, harvest June to October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Small Batches

    30 Apr to 4 Sept Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow a short row or scatter seed thinly from 30 Apr - 4 Sep, about deep, and repeat every 14 days. In hot spells, give the row a little light shade so it is slower to bolt.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    10 May to 18 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to apart so the leaves have room. Snip the extras at soil level and eat them.

  3. 03

    Protect From Flea Beetle

    7 May to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 7th May, cover young plants with fine fleece or insect mesh. That keeps flea beetle holes down while they establish, and the damage is mostly cosmetic. Also protect seedlings from slugs and snails.

    • Flea beetle shot-holes look worse than they are. Slugs on seedlings can wipe a row overnight.

  4. 04

    Keep Evenly Watered

    23 Apr to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every week

    From 23rd April, water when the top of the soil begins to dry. Regular moisture, and a little light shade in hot spells, helps stop plants bolting.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    4 Jun to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start picking from 4th June when the leaves are big enough to eat, then keep cutting the outer ones. You can pick through 4th June - 19th October if you keep plants watered and cut before they get coarse.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Rocket.

Good companions

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Rocket to consider

Apollo

A quick-growing mild rocket with good leaf shape for cut-and-come-again picking.

Esmee

A reliable salad rocket with a neat habit and a steady peppery flavour.

Speedy

Selected for fast growth and useful if you want frequent small sowings.

Rocket guides by town

See how Rocket timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.