Rukola: what is it and how to grow it?

Many people like to diversify their vegetable menu by such a representative of the family Cruciferae, like rukola. What is it and what is its health benefit? Let's get acquainted with this wonderful plant, and at the same time we will learn what the peculiarities of its cultivation are.

Rukola - what is it and what does it eat?

This herbaceous biennial is common in the Middle East. However, in our time it is easily grown around the world. Such popularity of rukola ("grass" for weight loss) acquired after it was revealed its property to positively influence metabolism. It is a natural source of vitamins, iodine. The plant tones up the whole body, increases libido and hemoglobin level, helps to remove cholesterol. Also, the magic rukola (what it is for a truck marketer, we'll talk about in this article) helps to prevent stomach ulcers, has antibacterial, hepatoprotective and antitussive effects. In India, the juice of this plant is treated with hematomas and polyps, and seeds - skin diseases. For a gourmet, rukola is also very important - it is one of those leafy vegetables that can be combined with almost anything. As with other vegetables (spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes and other), and with meat, cereals, cottage cheese. You can decorate the dish with a bowl or serve it with cold appetizers.

Garden rucola

What is it and how it is used in nutrition, we found out.
The next good news is that this plant adapts very easily to a variety of climatic conditions. It can grow practically on all territory of Russia, except for the coldest areas. Below, we will analyze those subtleties and features that will allow you to keep the ornate rucola with an exquisite nutty pungent taste, which it is famous for. This plant is cold-resistant, grows well on various soils. Surprisingly, for a long time the rukola (called arugula, eruka and rocket salad) was considered a weed plant! Several adapted breeding varieties are derived from wild plants. Variety Solitaire - the most fragrant of them - has a mustard flavor due to the content of mustard oil in the leaves . An additional bonus for the summer resident - the rucola improves the condition of the soil and repels mosquitoes. It contains a high percentage of sulfur and nitrogen.

Rocket salad . Cultivation and care

Sorts of "Solitaire" and "Poker" can be cultivated very easily. On the windowsill they will grow all year round. In the garden - from April to August. The seated method is very effective - thanks to it you will get an early harvest. The small seeds of rucola are first sifted into cups five millimeters deep. On the fifth day there are shoots, which need to be watered regularly, and then dive. Their survival rate is quite high. In a box they need to be planted at a distance of up to forty centimeters. Experienced vegetable growers say that it is this (a sufficient interval between the bushes) that affects the taste of the rucola leaves. This plant is very fond of light, also needs regular watering. Cut the leaves can be on the twentieth day.