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When to Plant Arugula in Maverick 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.

Maverick County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 261 days.

At an elevation of 4,473 feet, Maverick County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Maverick County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
261 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
261 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Maverick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – May 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 3

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,457 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Arugula needs ~850 GDD — county provides 5,546 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Maverick County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26
Harvest April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Jun 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
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 8b

Growing Season

261 days

Growing Tips for Maverick 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 Maverick County, TX?

Maverick County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Maverick County, TX?

Maverick County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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