'Cut and Come Again' Rocket

[HKCambridge]

I've been reading Joy Larkcom's 'Grow Your Own Vegetables' and she is very keen on the 'cut and come again' technique for greens and salads: basically cutting off leaves about 2cm off the ground (above new buds) and growing a second and third round of leaves from the same seeds.

Does anyone have any experience of this technique in general and specifically with rocket? Can you really grow several rounds of leaves from the same seeds? I picked up a packet of rocket seeds today and obviously I'd like to get the most out of them!

General advice with rocket also appreciated.

[Alice]

Hello HCCambridge, you'll have no problem with rocket. It lives up to its name well. I grow it all the year round on the kitchen windowill. Just sow it on a little compost. It will be up in no time. It is quite strongly flavoured - I love it. Just cut a few leaves as you want them to add to salads - or just to eat. it keeps coming back. Eventually it runs out or gets past its best. Just sow some more in a seed tray handy for the kitchen door. The cut and come again salad leave varieties do just as well. You don't get big crops out of a seed tray, but you do get a good selection of leaves to brighten a green salad. Do give them a try.

[TonyF]

If you can find some, mix with lamb's lettuce as well - here it's grown as an autumn winter veg but I mix it with just about everything lettucy and it always seems to germinate for me.

[serenity]

I grew rocket last year using this technique in window boxes, salad rocket and wild rocket. If I remember the wild rocket was a little slower to grow but very worthwhile. Pick the leaves whilst small as they become very strong when large.

[Earthbabe]

I've used this technique with much success. I'm usually gifted a couple of packs of mesclun each year by my mum and it is great. Lovely mix. Any mix of lettuce seed will accomplish the same. Keep cutting and don't thin. I plant mine in open ground because I have the space but it sounds like containers will work as well.

[Alison]

Bearing in mind how easy rocket is to grow it makes you wonder why it costs a fortune to buy in the shops as a cut veg!

[Grandpadragon]

Unlike Earthbabe I don't have lots of room so grow mine in an old Fish box 30 x 90 x 25deep cm's and it works well You've bought the seed so get it sown!
you've nothing to lose now

[southlondongardener]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but what varieties do you use and is your kitchen north or south facing?

[Jardiniere]

An old thread! Its positively ancient......hope you get a reply

[Potstubsdustbins]

I grow in containers but outside. Mesclun a spicy salad mix, lettuce Lollo Rossa and Salad Bowl are my three favs.

Potty