When to Plant Arugula in Mesa County, CO
Top priorities for Mesa County, Colorado gardeners in May
Your Mesa County, Colorado garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
-
Time to transplant arugula
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- 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.
Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.
At an elevation of 6,091 feet, Mesa County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.
Mesa County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-8.1
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 Mesa County
How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–8.1) is more alkaline than Arugula prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Mesa County is excellent for Arugula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Arugula.
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 Aug 20 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 31.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 2.1" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 2.5" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.9" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Mesa 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 Planting Timeline — Mesa County, CO
Arugula Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 1 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Direct Sow | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Aug 7 |
| Fall Sowing | July 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing 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_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
161 days in Mesa County
Growing Tips for Arugula in Mesa County
Direct sow Arugula outdoors after May 01 in Mesa County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Mesa County reach 91°F — grow Arugula as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
Your generous 161.0-day season in Mesa 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Arugula in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Arugula in Mesa County, CO?
Mesa County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mesa County, CO?
Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.
Your Mesa County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mesa County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.