Arugula in Zone 4a & 4b

Eruca sativa

When to plant arugula in zone 4b

Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Arugula doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.

Start indoors	Not typically started indoors
Direct sow / transplant outside	Apr 10–Apr 17
Estimated harvest	May 20–May 27 (~40 days after direct-sowing)

Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1.5 ft.

Arugula is about as fast as salad greens get, direct-sown and ready to harvest in around 40 days, with a peppery bite that gets sharper as the weather warms.

How arugula fits zone 4's season

Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Arugula needs about 40 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

Carrot: Fast-maturing, non-competing salad-garden interplant.
Lettuce: Similar light/water needs; grown together as cut-and-come-again greens.

Where to buy arugula seeds

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