Blog

When to Plant Arugula in Caledonia County, VT

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.

Caledonia County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Caledonia County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Caledonia County, VT (Zone 4a) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Caledonia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Arugula needs ~460 GDD — county provides 1,633 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Caledonia County, VT

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Caledonia 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 Caledonia County, VT?

Caledonia County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caledonia County, VT?

Caledonia County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Caledonia County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Caledonia County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.