Rocket Microgreen Seeds

Rocket Microgreen Seeds

Grow fresh Rocket microgreens at home in approximately 6–8 days. Rocket microgreen seeds produce tender green seedlings with the distinctive peppery, slightly spicy flavour associated with mature rocket leaves. Also known as arugula or rucola, Rocket is a fast-growing microgreen that adds fresh flavour and colour to salads, sandwiches, wraps and garnishes.

Rocket (Eruca sativa) is a member of the Brassicaceae family and is closely related to other popular microgreen crops such as mustard, radish and broccoli. Its quick crop cycle, relatively low seed requirement and distinctive flavour make it suitable for both home growers and commercial microgreen production.

Rocket microgreens can be grown indoors throughout the year using shallow trays and soil, coir or other suitable microgreen growing media. The seeds do not normally require pre-soaking and germinate quickly under suitable conditions.

Seedmart Rocket Microgreen Seeds are available in packet and bulk quantities for home growers, restaurants and commercial microgreen producers.

Rocket Microgreen Seed Details

Why Grow Rocket Microgreens?

How to Grow Rocket Microgreens

Rocket is a quick-growing microgreen that does not normally require pre-soaking. For a standard 10 × 20 inch microgreen tray, approximately 9–10 grams of seed provides a useful starting sowing rate. Adjust the quantity according to your tray dimensions, seed lot and preferred crop density.

1. Prepare the growing tray.
   Add approximately 3–4 cm of moist growing medium to a shallow tray and gently level the surface. Suitable media include quality soil, coir or another purpose-made microgreen growing medium.
2. Sow the Rocket seeds.
   Spread the seeds evenly across the surface. Aim for consistent coverage without allowing large quantities of seed to pile on top of one another.
3. Mist thoroughly.
   Use a fine spray mister to moisten the seeds and growing surface evenly. The medium should be moist but not saturated.
4. Cover the tray during germination.
   Cover with another tray or suitable blackout cover during the initial germination period. Rocket germinates quickly and will often begin emerging within approximately 1–2 days under suitable conditions.
5. Check moisture regularly.
   Keep the growing medium evenly moist while the seeds establish. Avoid allowing the surface to dry out, but also avoid standing water or persistently saturated conditions.
6. Introduce the seedlings to light.
   Once germination is established and the seedlings begin pushing upward, remove the cover and expose the crop to suitable natural or artificial growing light.
7. Maintain moisture and airflow.
   Water as required to keep the root zone moist. Once roots are established, bottom watering can help reduce excess moisture around the foliage. Provide good ventilation around densely planted trays.
8. Harvest the microgreens.
   Rocket microgreens are commonly ready approximately 6–8 days after sowing. Harvest when the stems and green seed leaves have developed to the size you prefer. Cut cleanly just above the growing medium using clean scissors or a suitable harvesting knife.

What Do Rocket Microgreens Taste Like?

Rocket microgreens have the characteristic peppery, slightly spicy flavour associated with mature rocket or arugula leaves. The flavour is fresh and distinctive, providing more bite than mild microgreens such as broccoli while generally being less sharp than strongly flavoured mustard varieties.

Their flavour makes Rocket microgreens particularly useful for salads, sandwiches, wraps and savoury dishes where a fresh peppery note is wanted.

The young green leaves also provide colour and texture, making Rocket useful both as an ingredient and as a fresh culinary garnish.

How to Use Rocket Microgreens

Rocket microgreens can be used in many of the same ways as mature rocket, but their smaller size makes them particularly convenient for garnishes, mixed microgreen salads and fresh finishing greens.

Rocket microgreens are generally best added towards the end of food preparation so their fresh flavour and delicate texture are retained.

Rocket Microgreens vs Broccoli Microgreens

Rocket and broccoli are both quick-growing microgreens from the Brassicaceae family, but they differ considerably in flavour and sowing density.

Prefer a milder microgreen? View our Broccoli Microgreen Seeds for a mild brassica flavour and tender green seedlings.

Is Rocket the Same as Arugula?

Yes. Rocket and arugula are common names used for Eruca sativa. The name Rocket is widely used in Australia and the United Kingdom, while Arugula is more commonly used in North America. Rucola is another name frequently associated with the same leafy vegetable.

This means searches for Rocket microgreen seeds, Arugula microgreen seeds and Rucola microgreens generally refer to the same type of crop.

Whatever name is used, the young seedlings develop the distinctive fresh, peppery flavour for which mature rocket leaves are known.

Rocket Seeds for Commercial Microgreen Growers

Rocket can be a useful crop for commercial microgreen growers because it combines a short production cycle with a recognisable flavour that is already familiar to consumers, chefs and restaurants.

The relatively low seed requirement per tray can also make Rocket attractive when planning commercial microgreen production. Its peppery flavour provides a useful contrast to milder varieties and can be used as a standalone product or incorporated into mixed microgreen selections.

Commercial growers should trial sowing density under their own conditions, as seed lot, growing medium, temperature, humidity, lighting and tray design can influence crop density and harvest time.

Seedmart supplies Rocket Microgreen Seeds in quantities suitable for home production, trial crops and larger commercial microgreen requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Rocket microgreens take to grow?

Rocket microgreens are fast growing and are commonly ready for harvest approximately 6–8 days after sowing. Crop time varies according to temperature, light, moisture and preferred harvest stage.

How quickly do Rocket microgreen seeds germinate?

Rocket seeds can begin germinating in approximately 1–2 days under suitable microgreen growing conditions.

Do Rocket microgreen seeds need to be soaked?

No. Rocket seeds do not normally require pre-soaking before sowing.

How many Rocket seeds should I use in a 10 × 20 tray?

Approximately 9–10 grams of Rocket microgreen seed per standard 10 × 20 inch tray provides a useful starting sowing rate. Growers can adjust the density to suit their equipment, seed lot and preferred crop.

What growing medium is best for Rocket microgreens?

Rocket microgreens can be grown in quality soil, coir or another suitable microgreen growing medium that provides consistent moisture together with adequate drainage and airflow.

Can Rocket microgreens be grown without soil?

Yes. Rocket can be grown using suitable soilless or hydroponic microgreen growing systems. The growing medium or system should maintain reliable moisture without leaving the roots persistently waterlogged.

Do Rocket microgreens need light?

The seeds can germinate during an initial covered or blackout period. Once the seedlings have established, expose them to suitable natural or artificial growing light so the seed leaves develop their green colour.

What do Rocket microgreens taste like?

Rocket microgreens have a distinctive peppery, fresh and mildly spicy flavour similar to mature rocket leaves. They generally have more flavour intensity than mild broccoli microgreens.

Is Rocket the same as Arugula?

Yes. Rocket and arugula are different common names for Eruca sativa. Rocket is the name more commonly used in Australia, while arugula is widely used in North America.

Is Rocket the same as Wild Rocket?

Not necessarily. Salad Rocket is generally Eruca sativa, while plants sold as Wild Rocket are commonly species of Diplotaxis. They have a similar peppery culinary character but are botanically different plants.

When should Rocket microgreens be harvested?

Rocket microgreens are commonly harvested approximately 6–8 days after sowing once the stems and green seed leaves are well developed. Cut the crop just above the growing medium using clean scissors or a suitable harvesting knife.

What can Rocket microgreens be used for?

Rocket microgreens are suitable for salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizzas, pasta, savoury dishes and garnishes. Their peppery flavour also makes them useful for adding contrast to mild microgreen mixes.

Are Rocket microgreens suitable for commercial growers?

Yes. Their fast crop cycle, distinctive flavour and relatively low seed requirement make Rocket suitable for commercial microgreen growers supplying restaurants, cafés, retailers and fresh produce customers.

Are Rocket microgreens easy to grow?

Rocket is generally a relatively straightforward microgreen crop. Germination is quick and no pre-soaking is normally required. As with other densely grown microgreens, careful watering and good airflow are important.

Where can I buy Rocket Microgreen Seeds in Australia?

Seedmart supplies Rocket Microgreen Seeds in packet and bulk quantities for home growers, commercial microgreen growers, restaurants and businesses throughout Australia.