While many would say the perfect red meat companion doesn’t exist, I believe it does – arugula.
Even to this day, I grow arugula in my backyard specifically to enjoy its fresh, peppery flavor alongside my weekly steak.
The most delicious greens, however, always come with trouble. Arugula can quickly invite harmful fungal raves and turn yellow if not looked after properly.
In this article, I’ll provide you with a detailed overview of factors that can cause yellowing in an arugula plant as well as effective solutions for each problem.
Let’s get right into it, shall we?
Why Is My Arugula Turning Yellow? Causes and Solutions
4 – A Specific Nutrient Deficiency?
When I say specific nutrient deficiency, I mean nitrogen.
Although an overall lower nutrient density can be pretty bad as well, nitrogen is the nutrient responsible for giving arugula leaves their rich green color, and a lack of it would cause leaves to begin turning yellow.
Solution: A simple remedy for combatting nitrogen deficiency in your garden is using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Provide your arugula with regular feedings of this fertilizer and watch it improve in no time! You can also try adding coffee grounds to the soil to bring up nitrogen content.
Also read this article the the common causes for bolting arugula.
3 – Spreading Disease
The spreading of disease in an Arugula plant can be a major reason behind sudden yellowing. It can be either bacterial or fungal and caused by various underlying reasons.
Fungal infections might make themselves apparent in the form of clear yellowing while bacterial disease will present other symptoms like strange spot patterns or leaf wilting as well.
Solution: Fungicides and bactericides are going to be helpful in this situation. Follow the instructions on the label and use them in adequate quantities to relieve your arugula from the infection.
To add to this, proper spacing between your arugula plants (for better air circulation) and regulating humidity can also go a long way in preventing disease.
2 – Environmental Stress
Extreme heat and extended exposure to sunlight can have a detrimental effect on your arugula leaves. They can begin to wilt and turn yellow because such scorching heat isn’t normal for them.
Now, this doesn’t mean extreme cold will be good for the crop either! It too can cause yellowing and other forms of cold damage.
Solution: Ideally, you want to use a shade cloth to cover your arugula during the hottest parts of the day. Mulching can help regulate temperature and retain moisture which will prevent the plant from drying out.
1 – Overwatering
Flooding your arugula with water too often can also be detrimental to its health. An excess of water often suffocates the roots and limits oxygenation.
Root rot and weakened yellow leaves are common results of that. To add to this, overly moist arugula is an open invitation for fungal infections to develop and spread.
Solution: Although mulching and improved drainage can help regulate moisture levels, at the end of the day, it all comes down to your watering practices. If you continue to overwater the plant, no mulch or drainage strategies can combat that.
So, it’s best to get a grip on your watering routine and make amends to it according to how your arugula seems to be holding up.
Final Words
Arugula leaves turning yellow can either be a subtle warning sign or a serious issue suggesting that the end is near for your beloved crop.
In most cases, however, you can still intervene and save the crop only if you make the right amends.
To restore your arugula to health, it’s essential to address the underlying issues that caused its current state. This may involve adjusting your watering routine, closely monitoring the plant’s environment, or utilizing plant care products for additional support.
