How to Grow Arugula Apollo Runway
Wikimedia Commons
Arugula Apollo Runway
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableApollo Runway is a premium heirloom arugula variety known for its tender leaves, mild peppery flavor, and slow bolting characteristics. This cultivar is ideal for spring and fall gardening, producing deeply lobed, attractive foliage that remains tender longer than standard varieties. It's prized by chefs and home gardeners for its superior taste and extended harvest window.
When should you plant Arugula Apollo Runway in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Arugula Apollo Runway timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Arugula Apollo Runway
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Arugula Apollo Runway
Around May 27≈ 40 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Arugula Apollo Runway dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-10; best grown as cool-season crop in spring and fall in warmer zones
Sign up free to see if Arugula Apollo Runway grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Arugula Apollo Runway timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysSmall cotyledons emerge 3-5 days after planting; first true leaves appear within 7-10 days.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing when 2-3 inches tall. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple deeply lobed leaves; foliage is tender and mild-flavored. Plants remain compact and bushy.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Begin light harvesting of outer leaves at 3-4 weeks. Apollo Runway is slower to bolt than standard varieties.
Leaf Development Peak
2-3 weeksPlant reaches maximum leaf production with dark green, fully lobed foliage. Leaves are tender, flavorful, and harvestable.
Continue regular harvesting of outer leaves to encourage bushier growth and delay bolting. Water consistently and ensure adequate moisture.
Bolting/Maturity
1-2 weeksPlant begins to elongate and flower buds form. This variety delays bolting compared to others, extending harvest potential.
Pinch off flower buds to prolong leaf production. Once bolting occurs, leaves become increasingly bitter and tough. Plan succession plantings for continuous harvest.
Flowering/Seed
2-3 weeksSmall white flowers with purple veining bloom. Seeds develop in elongated pods.
Allow some plants to flower and set seed for seed saving if desired. Self-seeds readily in ideal conditions.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; dust with diatomaceous earth; remove plant debris where they overwinter
-
Install row covers; handpick caterpillars; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when damage first appears
-
and
Remove debris and mulch where they hide; hand-pick in early morning; set beer traps; apply copper tape barriers
-
Handpick; apply Bt spray; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps; remove affected plants
-
Use yellow sticky traps; spray insecticidal soap; introduce beneficial insects; reflective mulch deters them
Uses
Fresh Salads & Peppery Greens
CulinaryApollo Runway's tender leaves and mild peppery flavor make it ideal for mixed green salads, grain bowls, and fresh preparations. The distinctive deeply lobed foliage adds visual interest and sophisticated flavor to culinary dishes. [source]
Pesto & Cooked Preparations
CulinaryBlend arugula leaves into creamy pesto, pasta sauces, and smoothies. Apollo Runway's mild flavor profile makes it excellent for cooking, where it retains color and tenderness better than standard varieties. [source]
Nutritional & Anti-inflammatory Benefits
MedicinalArugula is rich in glucosinolates, vitamin K, and antioxidants with potential anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption may support digestive health and bone strength. [source]
Garden Rotation & Soil Health
HouseholdAs a cool-season brassicaceous crop, arugula fits well into crop rotation schedules. It helps break pest and disease cycles and can be used as a quick cover crop. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeAllowing some plants to flower provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and parasitic wasps that control garden pests. [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 plant is 4-6 inches tall (baby greens stage at 30-35 days). Pick leaves from the base outward, leaving the growing center intact for continued production. For full mature leaves, wait 40-50 days. Harvest in early morning for best flavor and crispness. Apollo Runway's slow-bolting nature allows extended harvest windows. Cut entire plant 1 inch above soil for a single large harvest, or continue picking outer leaves for 2-3 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Apollo Runway is an heirloom variety that was specifically bred to have slower bolting characteristics than standard arugula, making it more reliable for home gardeners seeking extended harvests.
- 🌱 Arugula has been cultivated for thousands of years in Mediterranean regions and was considered an aphrodisiac in ancient Rome and medieval Europe.
- 🌱 The peppery flavor in arugula comes from glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that are also found in other brassicas like broccoli and cabbage, and these compounds have been studied for potential cancer-preventive properties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Arugula Apollo Runway planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Arugula Apollo Runway seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Arugula Apollo Runway timeline →