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When to Plant Arugula in Utah County, UT

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.

Utah County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 5,535 feet, Utah County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Utah County, UT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Utah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6

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 Utah County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Arugula prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Utah County is excellent for Arugula โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help 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

6
successive plantings in your 159-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 28 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Arugula needs ~580 GDD — county provides 2,305 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Utah County, UT

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.6"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

159 days in Utah County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Utah County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after May 05 in Utah County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 159.0-day season in Utah 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 Utah County, UT?

Utah County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Utah County, UT?

Utah County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Utah County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Utah County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.