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When to Plant Arugula in Morton County, ND

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.

Morton County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 752 feet, Morton County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Morton County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Morton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

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€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Morton County, ND

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
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20
Fall Sowing July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Jul 15

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

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 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

132 days in Morton County

Growing Tips for Morton 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 Morton County, ND?

Morton County is in Zone 4a 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 Morton County, ND?

Morton County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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