Blog

When to Plant Arugula in Todd 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.

Todd County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 987 feet, Todd County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Todd County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Todd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 117 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~430 GDD — county provides 1,644 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Todd County, MN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Jul 26
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 10

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

153 days

Growing Tips for Todd 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 Todd County, MN?

Todd County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Todd County, MN?

Todd County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Todd County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Todd County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.