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When to Plant Arugula in McNairy 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.

McNairy County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 3,207 feet, McNairy County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

McNairy County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
211 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

McNairy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 158 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~670 GDD — county provides 3,534 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” McNairy County, TN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 7b

Growing Season

211 days

Growing Tips for McNairy 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 McNairy County, TN?

McNairy County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McNairy County, TN?

McNairy County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McNairy County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 McNairy County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.