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When to Plant Arugula in USDA Zone 11b

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.

In Zone 11b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

Zone 11b Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost January 1
364 growing days
First Fall Frost December 31

Arugula Planting Timeline — Zone 11b

Where Is USDA Zone 11b?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11b. Click any state to see the Arugula planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Arugula Planting Calendar — Zone 11b

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 – Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 15
Direct Sow December 11 Dec 11 – Jan 1
Fall Sowing November 5 Nov 5 – Nov 19
Harvest February 5 Feb 5 – Apr 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Free Zone 11b Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

30–50 days

Soil pH

6 – 7

Zone Temperature Range

45°F to 50°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

364 days (Zone 11b average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth0.5 inches
Plant Spacing6 inches apart
Row Spacing12 inches between rows

Growing Tips for Zone 11b

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

Saving Arugula Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

☀️
Garden Shade Cloth $15-35

Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.

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Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

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Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Arugula in Zone 11b?

In Zone 11b, plan your Arugula planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around December 4. Direct sow outdoors around December 11. Transplant seedlings around January 1.

Can Arugula grow in Zone 11b?

Yes, Arugula can grow well in Zone 11b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 11b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Arugula (30-50 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Arugula in Zone 11b?

In Zone 11b, expect to harvest Arugula from February 5 – April 9. Arugula takes 30-50 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 11b?

The average last spring frost in Zone 11b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Arugula?

Good companion plants for Arugula include Lettuce, Spinach, Carrots. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 11b, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.