[LivvyW]

I know the question is how long is a piece of string, but, I can't seem to prevent my rocket from going to seed.

Yes, it's in the greenhouse but i keep the door open all day every day. I keep it well watered. I planted it the end of Feb, it was ready to pick from the second week in April, and i was getting the equivilent of a nice bag of leaves every day for a week and then it went to seed.

It was only a row about 3ft long and they were a bit overcrowded.

The rocket i transplanted outside went purple and stopped growing.

The wild rocket i sowed in the greenhouse is much slower growing, slower to get a decent quantity of leaves and slower to bolt.

Any experienced rocket growers out there that can help me?

[mumofstig]

Overcrowding makes them run to seed quicker, so try to sow more thinly next time and If you just keep cutting the flower stalks out as quick as they grow you can keep them going for a good while.
i only sow a few plants at a time but more often if you see what i mean.Once my first lot of sowings are about ready to cut, i sow another few plants so they're ready to replace first lot...and so(w) on
I must admit it's more of a problem once it get's really hot,(if we're lucky) and in the g/h it can be, but if you carry on resowing you should be ok.
The lot i've just sown are outside and just peeking through and these should last a bit longer.
Good luck

[LivvyW]

Evening MOS,

I thinned them out to about 4 or 5 " but i saw a old GW recently and Monty Don was saying 9" spacing?  How much space do you give them.

I love rocket, and my OH is delighted at his lunchtime salad box at the moment, but i'm running out of leaves!!

I have more sown and on the way, but they'll be a while yet. 

[celjaci]

I've given up spring sown rocket - as you found it quickly goes to seed and mine also suffers from flea beetle damage.
Instead I started sowing at end of summer - planted out begining of Sept snd harvested from end of Sept right through winter til April. Worked even this winter with all the frost, still picked a carrier bag full every week.
I leave a few plants to flower and seed - the seedlings seem to wait til end of summer to germinate and I transplant some for my winter production.
Haven't bought any seed for years now.
Also treat land cress the same way.
In spring I go for lettuce instead - just started picking last week

[LivvyW]

Celjaci,

That's interesting, were you harvesting the same plants all that time?  Planted outside or in a greenhouse?

[mumofstig]

Evening MOS,

I thinned them out to about 4 or 5 " but i saw a old GW recently and Monty Don was saying 9" spacing?  How much space do you give them.

My g/h border's 2ft deep and i have 2 rows, spose they are about 8/9in apart in the rows.

[celjaci]

Celjaci,

That's interesting, were you harvesting the same plants all that time?  Planted outside or in a greenhouse?

These were planted outside around 9in apart, with plenty of compost added.
They were watered after planting but never again.
They peaked in Oct with masses of leaves 6-9in long
Plants were harvested in rotation to allow for re-growth
BTW the buds and flowers are edible too- nice addition to mixed salads

[LivvyW]

Thanks guys,

I'll keep on trying, 9" apart and well watered in the greenhouse and outside. I'll continue to sow sucessionally at least until Sept.

Cheers.