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When to Plant Arugula in Pembina 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.

Pembina County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Pembina County receives approximately 26.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Pembina County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Pembina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 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.

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 220 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~370 GDD — county provides 1,258 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Pembina County, ND

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 21

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

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 3b

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Pembina 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 Pembina County, ND?

Pembina County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pembina County, ND?

Pembina County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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