How to grow Rocket in Australia
A quick leafy crop for full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soil. Keep watering steady, as dry, hot conditions trigger fast bolting and a fiery, bitter flavour.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 3 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- Time to harvest: 40 days
- Time to germinate: 7 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | Cool-season preference; spring-autumn most reliable; avoid summer bolt. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Cool season ideal; slow to bolt. Fast harvests winter/autumn. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Mediterranean: extend to full autumn-winter window Mar to Sept. Rocket bolts above 20°C by December. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Mediterranean: extend to full autumn-winter window Mar to Sept. Rocket bolts above 20°C by December. |
| Tasmania | August to March | Sow Aug to Mar. Cool summers mean far less bolting than the mainland. Fast and easy. |
| Canberra & ACT | February to April, August to October | Sow Feb to Apr and Aug to Oct. Bolts in summer heat; midwinter soil too cold to germinate. |
| North Queensland | May to September | Dry season main window. Sow May to Sep for best results. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to September | Dry season main window. Sow May to Sep for best results. |
Varieties
- Rocket (Standard)
- Wild Rocket (Sylvetta)
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick outer leaves once they reach a usable size for a peppery bite. Snap or snip leaves from the outside and the plant keeps producing from the centre.
Storage
Fridge in a damp cloth, loosely wrapped, 3 to 4 days.