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When to Plant Arugula in Moniteau 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.

Moniteau County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Moniteau County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Moniteau County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Moniteau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 343 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Arugula needs ~670 GDD — county provides 3,366 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Moniteau County, MO

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Moniteau 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 Moniteau County, MO?

Moniteau County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Moniteau County, MO?

Moniteau County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Moniteau County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Moniteau County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.