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When to Plant Arugula in Andrew County, MO

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.

Andrew County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,292 feet, Andrew County receives approximately 37.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Andrew County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Andrew County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 240 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~550 GDD — county provides 2,530 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Andrew County, MO

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest May 22 May 22 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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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

184 days

Growing Tips for Andrew 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 Andrew County, MO?

Andrew County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Andrew County, MO?

Andrew County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Andrew 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 Andrew County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.