Arugula

In this month's issue of Organic Gardening, I found a most appropriate article on Arugula. We've enjoyed our bush all winter and I was bummed to see that it had gone to seed. When the plant bolts don't throw it in the compost pile. Cut the white flowers and immature seed pods and use them as a garnish. The leaves will be too spicy to eat raw, so instead try braising mature leaves from bolted plants with a bit of lemon juice, chicken broth and garlic.

In the article, written by Barbara Wilde of Paris, she offers a complete growing guide of arugula.

Arugula (Eruca sative) is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it grows wild in fields. It tolerates both extreme cold and heat, meaning you can grow it year round in Zones 7 and southward, and for all but the coldest months in the rest of the country.

Best varieties:
'Roquette' - 35 days. Extremely frost-tolerant, arrow-shaped leaves.
'Sputnik' - 35 days. A mild-flavored variety with a wide range of leaf shapes.

Plant one today - you wont' be sorry!