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When to Plant Arugula in Duval County, TX

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.

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 299 days.

At an elevation of 4,259 feet, Duval County receives approximately 55.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Arugula may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Duval County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
299 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
299 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Duval County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (216 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Jan 20 🍅 Harvest: Feb 24 – Apr 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (201 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 20 – May 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 14

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 607 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~1,060 GDD — county provides 7,950 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Duval County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Fall Sowing October 14 Oct 14 โ€“ Oct 28
Harvest March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ May 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

299 days

Growing Tips for Duval 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 Duval County, TX?

Duval County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Duval County, TX?

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Duval County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Duval County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.