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When to Plant Arugula in Nolan 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.

Nolan County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 3,997 feet, Nolan County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, 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.

Nolan County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Nolan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22

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 296 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Arugula needs ~1,030 GDD — county provides 6,077 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Nolan County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ Jun 30

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 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 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Nolan 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 Nolan County, TX?

Nolan County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nolan County, TX?

Nolan County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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