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When to plant Arugula in McPherson County County,

McPherson County County's spring Arugula window runs April 1 through April 22. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 14 to August 28 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in McPherson County, KS

McPherson County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June to-do list for McPherson County, Kansas

Your McPherson County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 23
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Pick arugula

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: arugula

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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.

McPherson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 850 feet, McPherson County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

McPherson County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23
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McPherson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3

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 McPherson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.6) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Arugula.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Arugula will thrive.

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

7
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 14.

Arugula Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 376 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 1.6" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in McPherson 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 ~700 GDD — county provides 3,342 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — McPherson County, KS

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 14 Aug 14 – Aug 28

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

0.6"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

30–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in McPherson County

Growing Tips for Arugula in McPherson County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after April 15 in McPherson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 191.0-day season in McPherson 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 McPherson County, KS?

McPherson County is in Zone 6b 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 McPherson County, KS?

McPherson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

When should I plant Arugula in McPherson County County, ?

In McPherson County County, , plant Arugula after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is McPherson County County, for Arugula?

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

Can Arugula grow in McPherson County County's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in McPherson County County's temperate climate. McPherson County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 23.

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Your McPherson County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.