Rocket, ‘Sparkle’ (Eruca sativa)

My favourite roquette, spicy but not too hot. Leaves are wide and not deeply lobed. It stands hot summer temperatures well. It can be grown the year round. The best I’ve grown for colour, shape, texture and taste. You can get two cuts from each crop. It is fast to grow from sowing to harvest too.

When to sow: Early spring - mid autumn

Where to sow: Sow thinly in a 10cm wide band 10 seeds per 5cm

Depth to sow: 5mm Aspect: Full sun or as sunny a spot as possible.

Soil: Prepared, well drained, fertilised soil. Add lime if soil is too acid.

Spacing: 10 seeds per 5cm Between rows: 30-40cm

Directions: Rocket is so easily grown and makes such a refreshing salad that it’s hard to imagine not having any to pick. Plant successive batches every six weeks or so.