JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
> "biig" > wrote in message ...
> >
> >
> > JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> >>
> >> "biig" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >
> >> > Well a few weeks ago I planted some from a seed pack with the usual
> >> > picture of mature arugula. It sprouted and is growing beautifully,
> >> > but,
> >> > it doesn't look anything like arugula. It has leaves that are jagged,
> >> > not like an elongated oak leaf. I used the same seed pack in the
> >> > spring
> >> > when I tried to grow it with a "grow light" and it looks nothing like
> >> > it
> >> > did when it sprouted that time.????? Have I been duped, or is it
> >> > normal for it to start out jagged? I can't post a
> >> > pic......Help!!....Sharon
> >>
> >> Arugula gets an attitude when grown in hot weather. The leaves look
> >> different than those grown in early spring, and they get bitter more
> >> quickly.
> >>
> >> I use fence wire to make a tunnel over my cool weather crops, like this,
> >> but
> >> smaller, obviously:
> >> http://www.steelmasterusa.com/pages/...llery/X/1.html
> >>
> >> Mine cover 2 rows because that makes the tunnels small enough to lift off
> >> easily without clobbering other nearby plants. On top of the tunnels,
> >> I've
> >> attached grey window screen to cut down on the sunlight. It helps with
> >> arugula, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard and quite a few other things whose
> >> seed packets say "Plant in early spring, and again in mid to late summer
> >> for
> >> a fall crop". I want these things all summer, so this is my method.
> >
> > That must be the problem. I have it in a large glazed bowl, about 18
> > inches across. The bowl has an unglazed bottom, so I'm assuming that
> > the water won't stay in long enough to rot the roots. I can't shield it
> > because I have basil in the same pot. We've had hot weather and the
> > plant gets a lot of sun. Maybe I should move the basil. Is your
> > arugual too bitter to use? I tried it and expected a nice peppery
> > flavour, but there wasn't much flavour at all. .......Sharon
>
> Your bowl is about 4 feet too small, Sharon. Someplace in your yard, take a
> trowel, loosen the soil down to 6 inches, and stick your hand in. Now, do
> the same with any of your flower pots. Notice the temperature difference.
> Many plants will not put up with their root systems being warm. Unless you
> can find a way to shade the pots, you'll never have success with certain
> plants.

Thanks for the tips. I'll put the basil in a different pot and move
the arugula to a shadier spot....Sharon