Blog

When to plant Arugula in Weippe, ID

Plant Arugula in Weippe after May 17; the prime window is May 3–May 24. A second sowing from July 20 to August 3 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Weippe, ID

Clearwater County, Idaho Zone 7a June

Your June game plan for Clearwater County, Idaho

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Clearwater County, Idaho this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 44°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Start arugula under lights

    These need a head start before your last frost (May 17). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Start harvesting arugula

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: arugula
  • Fall sowing: arugula

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.

Weippe, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 7,800 feet, Clearwater County receives approximately 19 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Arugula successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Weippe, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Weippe Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 16

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 Weippe

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) is more alkaline than Arugula prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 20.

Arugula Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 6 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.6" 2.2" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 2.6" 1.3" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.6" 1.8" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.6" 2" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.6" 1.5" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Clearwater 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 ~610 GDD — county provides 2,043 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — Weippe, ID

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 – Aug 23
Fall Sowing July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

30–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Clearwater County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Weippe

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after May 17 in Clearwater County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 134.0-day season in Clearwater 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 →

When should I plant Arugula in Weippe, ID?

In Weippe, ID, plant Arugula after the last frost (around May 17) and before the first frost (around September 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weippe, ID for Arugula?

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

Can Arugula grow in Weippe's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Weippe's temperate climate. Weippe averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 17 and first frost around September 28.

🌱

Your Clearwater County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clearwater 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.

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 Clearwater County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.