When to plant Rocket in Leeds

Sow a short row or scatter seed thinly from 17 Apr - 18 Sep, about 1 cm deep, and repeat every 14 days. In hot spells, give the row a little light shade so it is slower to bolt.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to 15 cm apart so the leaves have room. Snip the extras at soil level and eat them.

From 24th April, 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.

From 10th 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.

Start picking from 22nd May when the leaves are big enough to eat, then keep cutting the outer ones. You can pick through 22nd May - 2nd November if you keep plants watered and cut before they get coarse.