Blog

When to plant Arugula in Boone County, AR

Aim to plant Arugula in Boone County on or after March 22; the window stays open through April 12. Boone County's 205-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession. A second sowing from August 18 to September 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Boone County, AR

Boone County, Arkansas Zone 7b August

Your August gardening checklist

Your Boone County, Arkansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for August and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Get arugula in for a late-season harvest

    A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Boone County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 844 feet, Boone County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Boone County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Boone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28

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 Boone County

How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–7.1) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Boone County is excellent for Arugula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Arugula.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Arugula.

How to Plant Arugula

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Arugula

8
successive plantings in your 205-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.

Arugula Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Boone County). 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 needs ~700 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — Boone County, AR

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 12
Harvest May 10 May 10 – Jul 12
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

30–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

205 days in Boone County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Boone County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after April 05 in Boone County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 205.0-day season in Boone County 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

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Arugula in Boone County, AR?

Boone County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boone County, AR?

Boone County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

When should I plant Arugula in Boone County, AR?

In Boone County, AR, plant Arugula after the last frost (around April 5) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Boone County, AR for Arugula?

Boone County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Arugula grow in Boone County's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Boone County's temperate climate. Boone County averages a 205-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 5 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Boone County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Boone County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Boone County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.