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When to Plant Arugula in Martin 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.

Martin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 4,922 feet, Martin County receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, 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.

Martin County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Martin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20

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 226 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Arugula needs ~1,000 GDD — county provides 5,800 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Martin County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jul 1

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 Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Martin 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 Martin County, TX?

Martin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Martin County, TX?

Martin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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