When can I plant arugula outside?

Direct sow or transplant 4 weeks before your last spring frost.

How long until arugula is ready to harvest?

20-40 days. Young leaves 2-3 inches long have best flavor; harvest before flowering for mildest taste

When to Plant Arugula

Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa

leafy_greenZones 3–10beginner

Peppery, nutty green that adds zing to salads and pizza. One of the fastest greens to grow from seed to plate. Self-seeds readily for a continuous supply.

Planting calendar

Direct sow / transplant

4 weeks before your last spring frost.

Fall planting

4 weeks before your first fall frost.

Fastest green from seed to harvest; succession sow every 2-3 weeks; bolts quickly in heat

Spacing & harvest

Plant spacing: 4-6 inches
Row spacing: 8-12 inches
Days to harvest: 20-40 days
Ready when: Young leaves 2-3 inches long have best flavor; harvest before flowering for mildest taste

Companion planting

Plant near

Carrot — Arugula matures fast and clears space for carrots
Dill — Attracts beneficial insects

Keep away from

Strawberry — Brassicas may inhibit strawberry growth

Get arugula planting dates for your exact zone

Lawn Guardian turns this guidance into a schedule timed to your USDA zone and this week's actual weather — and adapts every time you log what you've done.

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Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns