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When to Plant Arugula in Carlton County, MN

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.

Carlton County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 516 feet, Carlton County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Carlton County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Carlton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Arugula

Arugula needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Arugula Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Carlton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Carlton County, MN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Aug 18
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

143 days in Carlton County

Growing Tips for Carlton 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Arugula in Carlton County, MN?

Carlton County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carlton County, MN?

Carlton County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carlton County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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