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When to Plant Arugula in Kittson 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.

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Kittson County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Kittson County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Kittson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5

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 Kittson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.3) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Kittson County is excellent for Arugula โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) โ€” Arugula will thrive.

How to Plant Arugula

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Arugula

5
successive plantings in your 139-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~340 GDD — county provides 1,181 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Kittson County, MN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
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

0.6"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 3a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

139 days in Kittson County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Kittson County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after May 14 in Kittson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 139.0-day season in Kittson 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Arugula in Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kittson County gardeners in Zone 3a 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 Kittson County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.