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When to plant Arugula in Menard County County,

Menard County County's climate puts the Arugula spring window between April 1 and April 22. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 10 to August 24 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Menard County, IL

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.

Menard County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 934 feet, Menard County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Menard County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Menard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Timeline — Menard County, IL

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jul 22
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

30–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Menard County

Growing Tips for Menard County

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 Menard County, IL?

Menard County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Menard County, IL?

Menard County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Arugula in Menard County County, ?

In Menard County County, , plant Arugula after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Menard County County, for Arugula?

Menard County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Arugula grow in Menard County County's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Menard County County's temperate climate. Menard County County averages a 187-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 19.

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Your Menard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Menard County (Zone 6a). 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 Menard County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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