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When to plant Arugula in Lowndes County, GA

Arugula planted in Lowndes County between February 10 and March 3 matures in 30–50 days — well before the November 26 first frost. A second sowing from October 1 to October 15 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Lowndes County, GA

Lowndes County, Georgia Zone 9a July

Your July planting checklist for Lowndes County, Georgia

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this July, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 3
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs

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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.

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 396 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Arugula may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Arugula, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Lowndes County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – Jun 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2

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 Lowndes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.5) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Arugula.

How to Plant Arugula

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Arugula

10
successive plantings in your 268-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 01.

Arugula Water Budget

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

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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.6" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lowndes 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 ~910 GDD — county provides 6,097 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — Lowndes County, GA

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Direct Sow February 10 Feb 10 – Mar 3
Harvest April 7 Apr 7 – Jun 9
Fall Sowing October 1 Oct 1 – Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Lowndes County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Lowndes County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after March 03 in Lowndes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lowndes County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Arugula. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Lowndes County reach 97°F — grow Arugula as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 268.0-day season in Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 26.

When should I plant Arugula in Lowndes County, GA?

In Lowndes County, GA, plant Arugula after the last frost (around March 3) and before the first frost (around November 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lowndes County, GA for Arugula?

Lowndes County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Arugula grow in Lowndes County's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Lowndes County's temperate climate. Lowndes County averages a 268-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 3 and first frost around November 26.

🌱

Your Lowndes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lowndes County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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

Sources & credits

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