When to Plant Arugula in New London County, CT
May in the garden — New London County, Connecticut
Welcome to May in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: arugula
You're about 21 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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Bring in the arugula
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
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.
New London County, Connecticut is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
At an elevation of 766 feet, New London County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.
New London County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5-6.6
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 New London County
How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.0–6.6) is more acidic than Arugula prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in New London 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 (3.6%). 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 29 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.
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 | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.6" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in New London 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 — New London County, CT
Arugula Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Direct Sow | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| Harvest | May 28 | May 28 – Jul 30 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| 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 7a
📆 Growing Season
178 days in New London County
Growing Tips for Arugula in New London County
Direct sow Arugula outdoors after April 23 in New London County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 178.0-day season in New London 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 New London County, CT?
New London County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is New London County, CT?
New London County, Connecticut is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your New London County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for New London 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.