Blog

When to Plant Arugula in Waller 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.

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Waller County receives approximately 64.1 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Waller County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Waller County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 7 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Mar 18 – May 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – May 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 15

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 176 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~850 GDD — county provides 6,141 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Waller County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 26
Fall Sowing September 25 Sep 25 โ€“ Oct 9
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ May 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

288 days

Growing Tips for Waller 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 Waller County, TX?

Waller County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waller County, TX?

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Waller County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Waller County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.