GROWING ARUGULA FOR CHICKENS!
Chicken feed isn't cheep! Luckily, there are some ways that you can reduce your bagged chicken feed bill.
Feeding your hens food scraps from your leftover meals is certainly one. But for putting a bigger dent in that feed bill, grow some healthy feed alternatives right there in your backyard or homestead.
Most greens are a wonderful choice to grow for your chickens.
Most greens are a wonderful choice to grow for your chickens.
Why Feed Arugula to Chickens?
Arugula is commonly classified as a superfood among other leafy vegetables and is packed with a ton of nutrition, both in vitamin and mineral form.
Arugula contains a phenomenal amount of vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A equivalent, and beta-carotene, and it still contains a respectable amount of vitamins B2, B6, and vitamin E.
The leaves of Arugula will grow a rosette about a food wide and equally as tall. Another benefit: It's a cut-and-come again plant!
Arugula Basics
aka Rocket Roquette
Cool-season annual plant which is fast growing.
Height: 6-12" Width 8-10"
Types:
Wild Arugula. Grows up to 2' tall with jagged leaves and a yellow flower.
Rocket Salad. A weaker peppery flavor. The plant grows up to 3' tall. It has lobed leaves and a white flower.
Seed Depth: 1/8" on the soil surface and tamp down.
Seed Spacing: 3-4" Thin to 4-6".
Days to Germinate: 7-14 days.
Days to Harvest: 3 weeks/baby leaves, 45 days mature.
Seed Longevity: 4 years.
Direct sow in the ground or in containers as early as when the soil temperature is 40+ degrees.
If you haven't tried winter sowing, you're in for a treat. This method is especially good for sowing herbs and greens. Winter sowing is basically sowing seeds in the bottom of a milk jug during the winter, setting the milk jugs outside for the winter and leaving them there until the seeds germinate in Spring.
To see our detailed article about Winter Sowing, click here.
Growing Temperature:
Arugula is frost hardy enough that it can grow through the winter in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.
Plant Spacing: 12-18" apart.
Container Size: 8" depth is enough.
Sun/Shade: Full sun, some mid-day shade.
Soil: Rich, compost.
Watering: Consistent moisture for best flavor.
Fertilizing:
Since greens are such a fast-growing crop, as long as they are grown in rich soil there may be little need for further fertilization. That said, a liquid balanced fertilizer when the seedlings are 4" tall will give your greens a boost and carry them through their short season. After the temperatures warm, though, the leaves of Arugula will turn bitter and no amount of fertilizer will help at that point.
Although tender green-leafed plants, like lettuce, cannot be preserved well, the thicker leafed greens can be preserved.
Fresh
Freezing for Later Use in Chilis, Soups, Sauces, and Casseroles.
Wild Arugula. Grows up to 2' tall with jagged leaves and a yellow flower.
Rocket Salad. A weaker peppery flavor. The plant grows up to 3' tall. It has lobed leaves and a white flower.
Starting Seeds of Arugula
Seed Depth: 1/8" on the soil surface and tamp down.
Seed Spacing: 3-4" Thin to 4-6".
Days to Germinate: 7-14 days.
Days to Harvest: 3 weeks/baby leaves, 45 days mature.
Seed Longevity: 4 years.
Sowing Outdoors
Winter Sowing
If you haven't tried winter sowing, you're in for a treat. This method is especially good for sowing herbs and greens. Winter sowing is basically sowing seeds in the bottom of a milk jug during the winter, setting the milk jugs outside for the winter and leaving them there until the seeds germinate in Spring.
To see our detailed article about Winter Sowing, click here.
Growing Arugula
Growing Temperature:
Arugula is frost hardy enough that it can grow through the winter in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.
Plant Spacing: 12-18" apart.
Container Size: 8" depth is enough.
Sun/Shade: Full sun, some mid-day shade.
Soil: Rich, compost.
Watering: Consistent moisture for best flavor.
Fertilizing:
Since greens are such a fast-growing crop, as long as they are grown in rich soil there may be little need for further fertilization. That said, a liquid balanced fertilizer when the seedlings are 4" tall will give your greens a boost and carry them through their short season. After the temperatures warm, though, the leaves of Arugula will turn bitter and no amount of fertilizer will help at that point.
Harvesting Arugula
Harvest when leaves are 4-6" tall. Harvest outer leaves. Harvest until leaves taste too strong. Harvesting often will encourage new growth.
Using Arugula
- A great addition to any salad, but use sparingly for a mustard-like flavor.
- Pizza toppings.
- Add Arugula flowers to salads in late spring and summer for their peppery flavor.
- Cook larger leaves with other greens.
- Small leaves tend to be milder while the larger has a more peppery taste.
- Arugula goes well with most meats, especially grilled meats.
Storing Arugula For Later Use
Remove Arugula's tough stems, clean and dry.Although tender green-leafed plants, like lettuce, cannot be preserved well, the thicker leafed greens can be preserved.
Fresh
- Clean and pat dry. Bundle stems lightly, place on a paper towel (to absorb moisture) and wrap in a plastic bag. Keeps in refrigerator for 10 days.
- Steam or saute' leaves, chop them and store in freezer bags.
- Puree with water and freeze into ice cube trays.
- Clean and dry the leaves and store in quart size freezer bags.
- Frozen leaves will keep for 6 months.
- Blanching the leaves for two minutes first will extend freezer storage to 14 months.
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Start growing Arugula for your flock! They will love you for it!
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