When to plant Arugula in Fairbanks North Star Borough County,
Plant Arugula in Fairbanks North Star Borough County, when soil hits 50°F — usually May 8. Continue planting through May 29 for the spring crop. A second sowing from June 16 to June 30 extends the harvest into fall.
When to Plant Arugula in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK
What to do in June
Here's what deserves your attention in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 3b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Begin indoor sowing: arugula
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Pick arugula
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
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Kick off the fall garden with arugula
Fall crops get sweeter with a light frost. Don't be afraid of cool nights.
Looking ahead to July
- 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.
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 116 days.
At an elevation of 2,540 feet, Fairbanks North Star Borough receives approximately 29.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 69°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.
Fairbanks North Star Borough Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Arugula Planting Risk Windows
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 Fairbanks North Star Borough
How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) is more acidic than Arugula prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Fairbanks North Star Borough is excellent for Arugula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Arugula.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.7%) — Arugula will thrive.
How to Plant Arugula
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Arugula
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 20 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 16.
Arugula Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Arugula
Arugula needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Arugula Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 1.2" | 1.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 2.4" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Fairbanks North Star Borough). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Arugula Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Arugula Planting Timeline — Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK
Arugula Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 15 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Direct Sow | May 8 | May 8 – May 29 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Fall Sowing | June 16 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
30–50 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 3b
📆 Growing Season
116 days in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Growing Tips for Arugula in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Direct sow Arugula outdoors after May 15 in Fairbanks North Star Borough when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Arugula in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Arugula in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK?
Fairbanks North Star Borough is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK?
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 8.
When should I plant Arugula in Fairbanks North Star Borough County, ?
In Fairbanks North Star Borough County, , plant Arugula after the last frost (around May 15) and before the first frost (around September 8). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Fairbanks North Star Borough County, for Arugula?
Fairbanks North Star Borough County sits in USDA Zone 3b. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Arugula grow in Fairbanks North Star Borough County's climate?
Yes — Arugula grows well in Fairbanks North Star Borough County's temperate climate. Fairbanks North Star Borough County averages a 116-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 15 and first frost around September 8.
Your Fairbanks North Star Borough Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Fairbanks North Star Borough (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.