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When to Plant Arugula in Gillespie 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.

Gillespie County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 3,036 feet, Gillespie County receives approximately 65.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Gillespie County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Gillespie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~730 GDD — county provides 4,380 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Gillespie County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

240 days

Growing Tips for Gillespie 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 Gillespie County, TX?

Gillespie County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gillespie County, TX?

Gillespie County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gillespie County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Gillespie County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.