OLIVETTA

Biennial arugula, also known as rocket-salad or wild rocket, is a hardy cold-tolerant perennial growing up to about 40 cm tall with a branched stem that woody at the base. The leaves are oblong and pinnatifid, possessing a mustard-nut flavor and a more intense aroma compared to rocket-indigo.

This greenery is rich in carotene, B vitamins, iodine, and ascorbic acid. When consumed fresh, it raises hemoglobin levels in the blood and aids in removing 'bad' cholesterol. To obtain a quality leaf, ensure plants receive illumination of at least 85–100 W/m², watering with a full-nutrient solution with EC from 1.5 to 1.8 mmol/cm³ and pH in the range of 5.8–6.3.

Sowing is done directly into open ground from mid-April at a depth of 0.5 cm; seedlings appear within 5–7 days. The culture supplies fresh greens from May to October. Regular removal of flower stalks helps maintain leaf growth and prevents early seed formation. Biennial arugula thrives on light neutral soils without excess organic matter under solar exposure, and in greenhouses and city farms it is used for growing microgreens, baby-leaves, and adult plants.