[wellingtons]

Am I right in thinking that flea beetle is largely a problem when they're seedlings?

I covered my rocket with fleece last year, but I'm using a new system in the salad bed where seedlings are all grown under glass.

Basically once they're up and about 2 inches tall will I be safe from flea beetle damage??

If not I can fleece again.

Many thanks ... all my books seem to give fairly non-specific answers.

[Salmo]

While it is hot and dry flea beetle will chew rocket. With bassicas it does not matter too much but the pock marks spoil rocket leaves for salads.

[mumofstig]

I think they must be in the soil, because i had mine under enviromesh last year and still had terrible flea beetle

[celjaci]

I've given up spring sown rocket because of flea beetle and running to seed - stick to lettuce now ( started cropping last week )

I plant out rocket seedlings in early September and harvest from end of Sept to begining of April without any flea beetle at all

[canwickplot]

I've had flea beetle on my rocket this spring. From what I can make out the best approach is to keep the soil moving by regular hoeing and to sprinkle a bit of water on them from time to time. It hasn't cleared them up but it has kept it from getting any worse. Also, I put my other brassicas in after raising them inside the greenhouse (mibuna, mizuna, chinese cabbage etc.) and they still got flea beetle so I don't think they have any rules about what stage in a plant's life they can be eaten. Best of luck!