How to Grow Arugula Apollo
Arugula Apollo
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableArugula Apollo is a fast-growing leafy green with deeply lobed, tender leaves and a peppery, slightly nutty flavor. It's a cool-season crop that matures quickly, typically ready to harvest in 30-40 days from seed. Apollo is a premium cultivar known for its uniform growth, attractive appearance, and excellent bolt resistance.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows year-round in mild climates
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Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
7-10 daysSeeds sprout within 5-7 days. True leaves emerge after cotyledons; seedlings are delicate with fine stems and small lobed leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light once sprouted. Thin seedlings to proper spacing early to avoid crowding and competition.
Vegetative Growth
15-25 daysRapid leaf development with increasing leaf size and depth of lobing. Plant builds a rosette of lobed foliage. Leaves become more deeply textured and develop characteristic arugula flavor compounds.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Side-dress with balanced fertilizer at 3 weeks. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Mature Harvest-Ready
5-10 daysLeaves reach 4-6 inches long with full peppery flavor development. Plant is full and bushy with multiple harvestable leaves. Apollo shows excellent uniformity at this stage.
Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach desired size. Continue consistent watering. Watch for any signs of bolting (flowering) in warm weather and harvest immediately if it begins.
Bolting (if not harvested)
Begins around day 35-45 depending on temperaturePlant sends up a central flower stalk with yellow flowers. Leaves become tougher and more bitter as plant diverts energy to reproduction.
Pinch off flower buds if extending harvest. For seed saving, allow bolting to occur. If bolting happens prematurely due to heat, harvest all remaining leaves quickly as quality declines.
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation occurs. Plant nasturtiums as trap crops nearby.
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Hand-pick caterpillars. Spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) if populations are heavy. Encourage parasitic wasps with flowering plants.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Create barriers with diatomaceous earth or copper tape. Beer traps can be effective.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap. Introduce beneficial insects like parasitic wasps.
Uses
Fresh Salads & Raw Dishes
CulinaryArugula Apollo's tender young leaves are perfect for mixed salads, where their peppery, slightly nutty flavor adds complexity. Serve raw with simple olive oil and lemon dressing to highlight the delicate taste. [source]
Pesto & Sauces
CulinaryBlend arugula with garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil to create a vibrant green pesto with a distinctive peppery kick, perfect for pasta, bruschetta, or as a sandwich spread. [source]
Cooked Greens
CulinaryMature arugula Apollo leaves can be sautéed with garlic and olive oil, added to soups, or incorporated into pasta dishes. Cooking mellows the peppery heat slightly while retaining nutritional benefits. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Support
MedicinalArugula is rich in vitamins K and C, folate, and glucosinolates—compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive properties. Traditional medicine has used arugula for digestive and respiratory support. [source]
Natural Pest Deterrent
HouseholdThe peppery compounds in arugula can be used to create homemade pest spray solutions. Arugula's volatile oils may also help deter certain insects when grown as a companion plant in vegetable gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants are 3-4 weeks old and leaves are 4-6 inches long using the cut-and-come-again method. Snip or pinch off outer leaves at the base, leaving the central growing point intact for continued harvest. Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture for best flavor. Arugula Apollo has excellent bolt resistance, but in hot weather (above 75°F), harvest more frequently and provide afternoon shade to extend the harvest window. For maximum tenderness and mildest flavor, harvest younger leaves; older, larger leaves have stronger peppery notes.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Arugula has been cultivated in the Mediterranean for thousands of years and was considered an aphrodisiac by ancient Romans, who called it 'eruca.'
- 🌱 The peppery flavor in arugula comes from glucosinolates, the same compounds found in other brassicas like broccoli and cabbage, which release peppery-smelling isothiocyanates when the leaves are chewed or cut.
- 🌱 Arugula Apollo was specifically bred for superior bolt resistance and uniform maturity, making it a preferred choice for commercial growers and farmers markets seeking consistent quality and extended harvest windows.
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