Zone 8b covers 47 days of last-frost dates. We measured Fort Worth, TX at Feb 18 and Eugene, OR at Apr 6. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 8b
Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 6 and first fall frost Nov 22 — about 261 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 Oct 11 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does arugula take to grow in zone 8b?
Arugula matures in about 30–40 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Feb 6 and first picking around Mar 8.
Will arugula survive frost in zone 8b?
Yes — arugula tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 22).
Can I plant a second crop of arugula in zone 8b?
Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 11 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full arugula growing guide →