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When to Plant Arugula in Prince George's County, MD

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.

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 322 feet, Prince George's County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Prince George's County, MD (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Prince George's County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 24

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~700 GDD — county provides 3,902 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — Prince George's County, MD

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 – Sep 15
Harvest May 6 May 6 – Jul 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

30–50 days

Soil pH

6 – 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Prince George's 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 Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Prince George's County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Prince George's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.