When to Plant Arugula in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK
May in the garden — Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska
Each item below is timed to Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Sow arugula in trays indoors
These need a head start before your last frost (April 13). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Start harvesting arugula
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.
At an elevation of 257 feet, Prince of Wales-Hyder receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Arugula successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Prince of Wales-Hyder Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant 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 Prince of Wales-Hyder
How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Prince of Wales-Hyder is excellent for Arugula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Arugula.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.0%) — Arugula will thrive.
How to Plant Arugula
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Arugula
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.
Plant 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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.6" | 0.4" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 2.6" | 0.7" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 1.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 1.9" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 1.7" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Prince of Wales-Hyder). 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 — Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK
Arugula Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Direct Sow | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 20 |
| Harvest | May 18 | May 18 – Jul 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
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 | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
30–50 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
202 days in Prince of Wales-Hyder
Growing Tips for Arugula in Prince of Wales-Hyder
Direct sow Arugula outdoors after April 13 in Prince of Wales-Hyder when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 202.0-day season in Prince of Wales-Hyder 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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Arugula in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Arugula in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?
Prince of Wales-Hyder is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?
Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is November 1.
Your Prince of Wales-Hyder Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Prince of Wales-Hyder (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.