Arugula in Zone 5a & 5b

Eruca sativa

When to plant arugula in zone 5b

Zones 5a and 5b 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 5–Apr 12
Estimated harvest	May 15–May 22 (~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 5's season

Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. 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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