When to Plant Arugula: Spring, Fall and Florida Dates

Arugula is a fast annual in the mustard family (NC State, Wisconsin). It tolerates frost, and Wisconsin says the seeds germinate within a few days even in cool soil. Heat is the problem: long days, high temperatures and dry soil make it bolt, and the leaves turn bitter once it flowers (Wisconsin, UF/IFAS).

Spring dates by last frost

The table counts back from your average last spring frost. Wisconsin says arugula can go in several weeks before the last frost; GardenPal reads that as about 4 weeks for the first sowing. The harvest column runs from Wisconsin's first whole-plant cutting at 3 to 4 weeks to NC State's 6 weeks.

Keep sowing small batches for a steady supply: every 2 to 3 weeks (Wisconsin, UF/IFAS) or every 1 to 2 weeks (NC State). Stop when summer heat arrives, since late spring sowings bolt quickly. University of Maryland's last spring sowing in central Maryland is in May. NC State notes you can also start seeds indoors before the last frost and transplant them.

Fall arugula

Arugula often grows best in fall, when the weather cools down instead of heating up. University of Maryland sows fall arugula in August and September and harvests from September through November. In other areas, count back from your average first fall frost. NC State says plants mature in 40 to 50 days and tolerate light frost, so GardenPal sows fall arugula about 8 to 5 weeks before the frost.

Wisconsin also lets a few spring plants flower and drop seed, which comes up on its own as a fall crop.

Texas and Florida dates

In Florida, arugula is a cool-season crop. UF/IFAS plants seed in fall and harvests about six weeks later, and suggests sowing every 2 to 3 weeks from fall through spring. UF/IFAS's month-by-month calendar lists arugula from October through March in North, Central and South Florida.

Texas A&M's fall vegetable table doesn't include arugula, so we don't have Texas-specific dates. The same cool-season pattern applies: NC State grows it in spring and fall and says it bolts in hot weather. NC State also mentions wild arugula (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), a perennial that tolerates heat better.

Planting and spacing

Harvest

Start picking once the leaves are a couple of inches long (Wisconsin). You can take outer leaves as needed, or cut the whole planting an inch or two above the soil in as little as 3 to 4 weeks and let it regrow for later cuttings (Wisconsin). UF/IFAS harvests when plants are about 8 to 10 inches tall. Young leaves are the mildest. Older leaves, heat and drought all make the flavor stronger and more bitter (Wisconsin, NC State). The flowers and young seed pods are edible too (Wisconsin, NC State).

Pests

Flea beetles chew small holes in the leaves and can wipe out small seedlings when there are many of them (Wisconsin). NC State also lists aphids. Wisconsin says row covers can keep flea beetles off, but the beetles overwinter in the soil, so covers put on too early can trap them underneath.

Where arugula goes in the garden

Grow arugula like lettuce or spinach (Wisconsin). It fits the same cool-season beds; see when to plant lettuce and what to plant with spinach. Arugula is also a known flea beetle trap crop for the cabbage family, covered in companion planting for pest control. For more on staggered sowings, see succession planting. Mustard greens and bok choy are fast cool-season greens on a similar schedule; see when to plant mustard greens and when to plant bok choy.

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant arugula?

Sow it outdoors several weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked (Wisconsin), and again in late summer for a fall crop. University of Maryland sows from mid-March through May and again in August and September in central Maryland.

Can arugula grow in the fall?

Yes, and it often does best then. NC State grows it in spring and fall and says it tolerates light frost. University of Maryland harvests fall-sown arugula from September through November.

When do you plant arugula in Florida?

UF/IFAS lists arugula from October through March in North, Central and South Florida, and suggests sowing every 2 to 3 weeks from fall through spring.

How long does arugula take to grow?

Plants mature in about 40 to 50 days and can be harvested after about 6 weeks (NC State). Wisconsin starts cutting the whole planting in as little as 3 to 4 weeks.

Why is my arugula bolting?

Long days, high temperatures and dry soil all trigger bolting (Wisconsin). Sow earlier in spring, give it light shade in hot weather and keep the soil moist.

Does arugula grow back after cutting?

Yes. Wisconsin cuts the whole plant an inch or two above the ground and harvests the regrowth.

Can you grow arugula in a container?

Yes. NC State recommends a pot of at least 3 gallons and at least 4 to 6 inches deep, and Wisconsin grows it on a bright windowsill in winter.