[rookie1]

Morning folks. Any ideas as to what has beset the rocket? See pic. The leaves are covered in what look like white spots, which then turn into holes. Haven't seen any critters in evidence so far. Is it curable and is it safe to eat it and shmoosh it up in a smoothie

[Lardman]

Id go with flea beetle damage.

[rookie1]

thanks Lardman - just looked up flea beatle info, but nowhere does it say if you can eat the affected leaves. I presume not, so should I dig the row up and start again, in that case?

[Lardman]

It's only a hole or two - there's no reason to bin the leaf let alone the plant They'll be fine to eat.  You may want to give them a rinse before hand (can't say I bother though).

[jambop]

You can eat the leaves there is nothing wrong with that at all. The damage is cosmetic as with a lot of pest damage but the goodness and flavour of the rocket is unimpaired. It has to be said that humans eat with their eyes to a very great extent but if you closed your eyes you would not be able to tell the difference between perfect leaves and flea beetle damaged ones . they just look a bit less appetising 

[rookie1]

thanks Lardman and jambop - much relief. I was a bit concerned when one website I found said that flea beetles transmit viral and bacterial diseases 

[oldgrunge]

Flea beetle seems to love rocket, but as the others say, it's ok to eat. Read somewhere that dusting the leaves with dry soil deters them. Can't say I've tried it.