When to plant arugula in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPR

Sow Jan 31 · First harvest Mar 2 · Wrap by Mar 30

Last spring frostFeb 28

Direct sowJan 31

First harvestMar 2

Last harvestMar 30

Fall succession sowOct 19

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 19 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does arugula take to grow in zone 9a?

Arugula matures in about 30–40 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Jan 31 and first picking around Mar 2.

Will arugula survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — arugula tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of arugula in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 19 for a second harvest before frost.

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