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When to Plant Arugula in Terry 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.

Terry County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 4,751 feet, Terry County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, 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.

Terry County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Terry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28

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.

Soil Compatibility in Terry County

How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.7โ€“8.4) is more alkaline than Arugula prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Terry County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Arugula will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Arugula.

How to Plant Arugula

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Arugula

8
successive plantings in your 215-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 29.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Arugula needs ~970 GDD — county provides 5,213 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Terry County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Sep 12
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.6"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

215 days in Terry County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Terry County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after April 06 in Terry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Terry County dries quickly โ€” mulch Arugula with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Terry County reach 99ยฐF โ€” grow Arugula as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 215.0-day season in Terry County allows multiple plantings of Arugula. Sow every 15.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Arugula in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Terry County, TX?

Terry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Terry County, TX?

Terry County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Terry County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Terry County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.