By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

If you've never grown anything from seed before, arugula is a great first crop.  What makes it a natural for beginners and the chronically impatient (like me) is its fast germination time.

Arugula can sprout in as little as 48 hours, so you get nearly instant results. (Where most of us go wrong when starting from seed is failing to keep the soil consistently moist long enough for seeds to germinate. Because it sprouts so quickly, that's not a problem with arugula.)

Another good reason to grow this peppery salad green is that, if you're not a restaurant, it's just about the only way to have a steady supply of it. Have you seen arugula at your supermarket except as part of a micro green mix? 

In mild winter climates, fall is the ideal time to sow seeds, though you can also plant in winter.  In colder areas, wait until early spring. 

Not sure if you like arugula?  Start with 'Runway Arugula' from Renee's Garden, a variety with a slightly milder bite.