Arugula is also known as Salad Rocket, Rucola, Rucoli, Roquette, or Colewart. It is an annual salad green with a peppery flavor. Arugula prefers cooler temperatures, so plant it early in the spring and late in the fall. Pick the leaves small for less peppery flavor. The leaves will get much stronger when the plant bolts (sets flowers). The white flowers are edible, or you can leave them to get seeds for the next planting season. From planting to first harvest is about 40 days, so if you plant new seeds every three weeks or so, you should have a continuous harvest. If growing arugula in the summer, or warmer climates, plant it in partial shade. Otherwise, spring and fall plantings should be in full sun. Arugula is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folic acid, and iron. In ancient times it was used as an aphrodisiac. The plant is said to grow two or three feet tall, but I believe this includes the flower stem. One half cup (1/2c) of arugula is two or three calories.
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Color: Dark rusty orange with dark green stripes
Shape: Oblate Size: 3 ounces to 2 pounds, 3-6 inches DTM: 70-90 Notes: Indeterminate, open pollinated, heirloom variety is blight resistant, but has some issues with cracking, bugs, and being easily bruised. Often reported as one of the first varieties to set fruit, or first to ripen. Heavy production on what is described as a small plant. The size of these tomatoes is all over the place. I've found references of them being as small as 3-4 ounces, and as large as 1-2 pounds. It may have a lot to do with location (colder areas seem to produce smaller fruits). Great for making a dark salsa or slicing on a sandwich. Color: Purplish Red with dark Green shoulders
Shape: Oblate Size: 8-14 ounces DTM: 76-90 Notes: Indeterminate, open pollinated, might need staking. This variety resists cracking, is heat and drought tolerant, but is thin skinned (bruises easily), and is slow to ripen in cooler climates. It's smoky flavor has been likened to the after-taste of steak. It's meaty and has few seeds. Color: Purple
Shape: Round Size: Ping Pong Ball DTM: 75-80 Days Notes: Does require at least two plants to produce fruit (not self-pollinating). Provide support, but expect this to be a very large plant. Most places suggest they get five to six feet tall, but large numbers of people who grow these say they can grow much larger. Fruit is ready to be picked when it swells until the husk splits. Start indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost date, just like a tomato. You can leave these on your counter (in husk) up to a week, or in your refrigerator for three weeks. If you'll be freezing them, store them in their husks. Color: Yellow
Shape: Round Size: Cherry/Blueberry DTM: 75, 85-100 Notes: Open Pollinated, but does require a second plant to produce fruit (not self-pollinating). Prolific plants are said to get four feet tall and four feet wide, but numerous reports of tomatillo plants getting much larger. Will self-seed if given the opportunity. Fruit is ready to be picked when it swells and splits the husk. I'm setting up this blog to keep track of the seed stash that is quickly overtaking the box. By using the Categories, I will be able to sort the seeds by color, variety, etc to make it easier to find information when I need it.
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Seed Stash BlogIn an attempt to keep my seed stash organized, and yet easily accessible, I'm going to use this blog. The plan is to make a blog post for each seed variety as I research it, tagging it to pertinent information. That way, I can come back later and search through the seed stash (even if I'm not at home), or sort results by growing factors! Categories
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