Turkish Rocket (Bunias Orientalis)
Turkish Rocket is a very hardy perennial in the brassica family. The edible leaves provide some of the first and last greens of the season and can be used raw like rocket when young and cooked as they get older. The young florets can be harvested and cooked like broccoli and if left to mature, the bright yellow flowers are very pretty and have a wonderful perfume. They attract all sorts of beneficial insects.
It is incredibly drought resistant because of its massive, deep roots, and the powerful roots also enable it to scour for deep nutrients and minerals as well, so the food (and compost) value of this plant is very high. Because of these deep roots, however, once established, it is very, very hard to erase Turkish rocket from a plot, so think through where you want to have it before you commit to planting. It is also a good idea to cut back flowering stems to avoid seedlings appearing everywhere (this also gives a fresh flush of tender growth).
Sowing and growing
Seeds can be started in early spring indoors or under glass. Sow into deep pots of peaty compost and keep at a temperature of around 20C (68F). Compost should be moist but not wet. Germination is variable and erratic, usually taking around 30 days. In late spring when plants have at least two or three sets of true leaves, harden off for 7 to 10 days and then plant outdoors 30 to 40cm apart.
Seeds can also be sown directly where they are to grow, late spring to summer. Sow thinly, 12mm deep in small clumps 30-40cm apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Keep moist and do not allow to dry out once planted. If all seeds in a clump grow, thin out all but the sturdiest plant.
Mature plants can be divided to produce new plants. Either dig the whole plant up and divide the crown, or use a sharp spade to slice pieces off the side of a clump. If you dig up and move the whole plant there is a good chance a plant will reappear in the same spot from the fragment of tap-root left in the ground. It really is a persistent plant.
It is incredibly drought resistant because of its massive, deep roots, and the powerful roots also enable it to scour for deep nutrients and minerals as well, so the food (and compost) value of this plant is very high. Because of these deep roots, however, once established, it is very, very hard to erase Turkish rocket from a plot, so think through where you want to have it before you commit to planting. It is also a good idea to cut back flowering stems to avoid seedlings appearing everywhere (this also gives a fresh flush of tender growth).
Sowing and growing
Seeds can be started in early spring indoors or under glass. Sow into deep pots of peaty compost and keep at a temperature of around 20C (68F). Compost should be moist but not wet. Germination is variable and erratic, usually taking around 30 days. In late spring when plants have at least two or three sets of true leaves, harden off for 7 to 10 days and then plant outdoors 30 to 40cm apart.
Seeds can also be sown directly where they are to grow, late spring to summer. Sow thinly, 12mm deep in small clumps 30-40cm apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Keep moist and do not allow to dry out once planted. If all seeds in a clump grow, thin out all but the sturdiest plant.
Mature plants can be divided to produce new plants. Either dig the whole plant up and divide the crown, or use a sharp spade to slice pieces off the side of a clump. If you dig up and move the whole plant there is a good chance a plant will reappear in the same spot from the fragment of tap-root left in the ground. It really is a persistent plant.
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