When to Plant Arugula in USDA Zone 6a
What to do in April
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this April, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Move arugula into the garden
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Scatter arugula into prepared beds
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
To set up a strong May, finish these tasks
- Starting indoors: arugula
- First harvests: arugula
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 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
Arugula Planting Timeline — Zone 6a
Where Is USDA Zone 6a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Arugula planting schedule for that location.
Arugula Planting Calendar — Zone 6a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 17 |
| Harvest | May 15 | May 15 – Jul 17 |
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
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
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
193 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Arugula in Zone
Sow every 3.4 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Arugula in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~193 days). Start Arugula indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Arugula Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Arugula in Other Zones
Arugula by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Arugula in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, plan your Arugula planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 6. Direct sow outdoors around March 27. Transplant seedlings around April 10.
Can Arugula grow in Zone 6a?
Yes, Arugula can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Arugula (30-50 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Arugula in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Arugula from May 15 – July 17. Arugula takes 30-50 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 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.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.