When to plant arugula in zone 4a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 4A

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 20First frost ~Sep 20Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUN

Sow Apr 22 · First harvest May 22 · Wrap by Jun 19

Last spring frostMay 20

Direct sowApr 22

First harvestMay 22

Last harvestJun 19

Fall succession sowAug 9

First fall frostSep 20

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 20 and first fall frost Sep 20 — about 123 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 Aug 9 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 22 and first picking around May 22.

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 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 20).

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

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 9 for a second harvest before frost.

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