When to plant arugula in zone 3b — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 6First frost ~Oct 22Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUN

Sow Apr 8 · First harvest May 8 · Wrap by Jun 5

Last spring frostMay 6

Direct sowApr 8

First harvestMay 8

Last harvestJun 5

Fall succession sowSep 10

First fall frostOct 22

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 6 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 169 frost-free days. Arugula tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Sep 10 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does arugula take to grow in zone 3b?

Arugula matures in about 30–40 days from sowing. In zone 3b that means sowing around Apr 8 and first picking around May 8.

Will arugula survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — arugula tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).

Can I plant a second crop of arugula in zone 3b?

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 10 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full arugula growing guide →

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