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When to plant Arugula in Plainview, AR

Plant Arugula in Plainview after March 26; the prime window is March 12–April 2. A second sowing from August 28 to September 11 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Plainview, AR

Yell County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

Yell County, Arkansas gardeners: here's your June plan

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Yell County, Arkansas.

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Basket week: arugula

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: arugula

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Arugula is a fast-growing cool-season green with a peppery, nutty flavor. It is excellent in salads and can be harvested as baby greens or mature leaves.

Plainview, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 1,105 feet, Yell County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Plainview, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Plainview Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Plainview

How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–7.0) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Yell County is excellent for Arugula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Arugula.

How to Plant Arugula

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Arugula

9
successive plantings in your 225-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

Arugula Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Arugula

Arugula needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Arugula Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.6" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Yell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Arugula Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Arugula needs ~640 GDD — county provides 3,600 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — Plainview, AR

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 – Apr 2
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 – Jul 2
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

30–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

225 days in Yell County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Plainview

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after March 26 in Yell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 225.0-day season in Yell County allows multiple plantings of Arugula. Sow every 15.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Arugula in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Sow seeds directly every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to prevent bolting. Harvest outer leaves first to extend production.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Arugula in Plainview, AR?

In Plainview, AR, plant Arugula after the last frost (around March 26) and before the first frost (around November 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Plainview, AR for Arugula?

Plainview sits in USDA Zone 8a. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Arugula grow in Plainview's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Plainview's temperate climate. Plainview averages a 225-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 26 and first frost around November 6.

🌱

Your Yell County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Yell County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Yell County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.