Astro Arugula: Fast-Growing, Mild-Flavored Salad Staple
Astro Arugula is a popular cultivar known for its quick growth and mild peppery flavor. This versatile salad green reaches maturity in just 21 days for baby leaves and 40 days for full-size plants. Astro stands out for its broad, lobed leaves and excellent cold tolerance, making it a favorite among gardeners and commercial growers alike. Originally developed as a milder alternative to traditional arugula varieties, Astro has become a staple in gardens and kitchens worldwide.
Astro Arugula’s mild flavor profile makes it an ideal choice for mixed salads, adding a subtle peppery kick without overpowering other ingredients. Its tender leaves are perfect for fresh consumption, garnishing pizzas, or enhancing sandwiches. The variety’s quick growth allows for multiple harvests throughout the season, providing a continuous supply of fresh greens. Astro’s ability to thrive in both cool and warm temperatures extends its growing season, offering greater flexibility for gardeners.
This arugula variety grows vigorously, forming lush green plants that reach 6-8 inches in height. When sown directly, seeds germinate rapidly, often emerging within 5-7 days. For optimal growth, space plants 8 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches wide. Astro Arugula performs exceptionally well as a cut-and-come-again crop, allowing for multiple harvests from a single planting. For the best flavor and texture, harvest young leaves regularly, which also encourages continued production.
Growing Success Tips:
- Sow seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest
- Use floating row covers to protect against flea beetles
- Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Harvest regularly to promote leaf regrowth and prevent bolting
Astro Arugula offers gardeners a reliable, productive, and versatile green that’s easy to grow and delightful to eat. Its mild flavor and quick maturation time make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to add a nutritious and flavorful crop to their garden.
For an extra tender harvest, consider picking Astro Arugula leaves in the early morning when they’re at their crispest.
Product Features
- Maturity: 21 days (baby leaves), 40 days (full size)
- Leaf Type: Broad, lobed leaves
- Flavor: Mild peppery taste
- Plant Height: 6-8 inches
- Seed Count: Approximately 500 seeds per gram
- Sowing Depth: 1/8 to 1/4 inch
- Soil Temperature: 50-65°F (10-18°C)
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist
- pH Preference: 6.0-7.0
Key Benefits
- Quick-growing for multiple harvests
- Tolerant of both cold and heat
- Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting
- Versatile culinary uses in salads and cooked dishes
