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Jarjir (Palestinian Arugula)
Eruca sativa
Jarjir (جرجير) is the Arabic word for arugula, which grows wild throughout the countryside in Palestine, and is used fresh in salads or in bread rolls with cheese. This peppery leaf is one of the most common greens in Palestine, and particularly in Gaza and neighboring Egypt. This is a particularly spicy variety of arugula that is accustomed to little rainfall, but also thrives in our wetter climate.
Truelove Seeds received this particular variety from the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library in order to increase the amount and availability of this important Palestinian seed. This Jarjir comes from deep in the hills of the UNESCO World Heritage village of Battir at a place called Ein Abu-El-Harth ("the spring of the plowman") in the occupied West Bank.
Hassan Muamer of the PHSL says this Jarjir is best when you don't give it much water because it becomes more spicy. Sometimes when the Jarjir is very thirsty, it can be like a hot chili. "In the old days, our grandparents and the elders in the village used to take some bread with them to the field to eat it only with Jarjir. They took a pinch of Jarjir and wrapped it in the piece of bread and eat with anything else, just to enjoy the taste of Jarjir."
From the Palestine Heirloom Seed Project website: "Like most farmers around the world, Palestinian farmers are facing the dangers of agribusiness, corporate seed, land dominance along with political violence. But many of these farmers are the heroes who have been safeguarding these precious seeds and the knowledge these seeds carry. Palestinian heirloom seed varieties are under threat; many have gone extinct. These seeds that have been passed down to us over the centuries carry in their genes the stories and the spirits of the Palestinian indigenous ancestors. Aside from their cultural significance, these seeds carry options for our future survival as we face climate change and the erosion of agrobiodiversity worldwide. As such, it is urgent that we save and propagate them."
50% of the price of every packet sold will go to the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library to support their important work in preserving Palestinian farming and foodways.
Days to maturity: 40-45
Seeds per pack: 350
Germination rate: 81% on 10/21/2024
Planting / harvesting notes
Usually planted in the late summer or fall for production through Palestine's relatively mild winter, it can be succession sowed here during the spring and early summer as well. Seed every 1" in rows 8-12" apart, 1/4" deep. Keep watered until germination. Thin to every 4-6" for full heads, or treat as cut-and-come-again baby greens. Harvest baby greens after 21 days, or allow plant to mature in 44 days.
Seed keeping notes
Isolate by 1/2 mile from other flowering Arugulas (Eruca sativa), to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow seed pods to turn brown and dry before seed harvest. Protect from birds.
