When to plant arugula in zone 4a — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 7First frost ~Oct 13Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUN

Sow Apr 9 · First harvest May 9 · Wrap by Jun 6

Last spring frostMay 7

Direct sowApr 9

First harvestMay 9

Last harvestJun 6

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostOct 13

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 7 and first fall frost Oct 13 — about 159 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 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does arugula take to grow in zone 4a?

Arugula matures in about 30–40 days from sowing. In zone 4a that means sowing around Apr 9 and first picking around May 9.

Will arugula survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — arugula tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 7) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 13).

Can I plant a second crop of arugula in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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

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