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When to Plant Arugula in Greene County, TN

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.

Greene County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 3,979 feet, Greene County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Greene County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Greene 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 (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 36 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~640 GDD — county provides 3,136 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, TN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 18

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 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 6b

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, TN?

Greene County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, TN?

Greene County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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