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When to Plant Arugula in Gregg 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.

Gregg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 337 feet, Gregg County receives approximately 74.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Arugula may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Arugula will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Gregg County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Gregg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jul 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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 150 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~880 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Gregg County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Jun 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April 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

253 days

Growing Tips for Gregg 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 Gregg County, TX?

Gregg County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gregg County, TX?

Gregg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gregg 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 Gregg County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.