When to plant arugula in zone 7a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 7A

Growing SeasonZone 7a

Last frost ~Apr 15First frost ~Oct 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAY

Sow Mar 18 · First harvest Apr 17 · Wrap by May 15

Last spring frostApr 15

Direct sowMar 18

First harvestApr 17

Last harvestMay 15

Fall succession sowSep 13

First fall frostOct 25

Why these dates work in zone 7a

Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 15 and first fall frost Oct 25 — about 193 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 13 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does arugula take to grow in zone 7a?

Arugula matures in about 30–40 days from sowing. In zone 7a that means sowing around Mar 18 and first picking around Apr 17.

Will arugula survive frost in zone 7a?

Yes — arugula tolerates light frost. In zone 7a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 25).

Can I plant a second crop of arugula in zone 7a?

Yes — in zone 7a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 13 for a second harvest before frost.

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