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When to Plant Arugula in LaGrange County, IN

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.

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, LaGrange County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

LaGrange County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

LaGrange County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Arugula needs ~610 GDD — county provides 2,607 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” LaGrange County, IN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for LaGrange 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 LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help LaGrange County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 LaGrange County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.