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When to Plant Arugula in Jasper County, IL

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.

Jasper County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,384 feet, Jasper County receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Jasper County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Jasper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 459 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Arugula needs ~730 GDD — county provides 3,467 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Jasper County, IL

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Jasper County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Arugula in Jasper County, IL?

Jasper County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jasper County, IL?

Jasper County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jasper County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Jasper County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.