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When to Plant Arugula in San Patricio 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.

San Patricio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 12 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 300 days.

At an elevation of 2,449 feet, San Patricio County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Arugula may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

San Patricio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
300 days
Last Spring Frost February 12
300 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

San Patricio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (217 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Jan 20 🍅 Harvest: Feb 24 – Apr 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (202 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Mar 19 – May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 16

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 634 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~1,000 GDD — county provides 7,525 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” San Patricio County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Direct Sow January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 12
Fall Sowing October 14 Oct 14 โ€“ Oct 28
Harvest March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ May 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

300 days

Growing Tips for San Patricio 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 San Patricio County, TX?

San Patricio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 12. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Patricio County, TX?

San Patricio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 12 and first fall frost is December 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help San Patricio County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 San Patricio County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.