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When to Plant Arugula in Scott County, MN

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.

Scott County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,105 feet, Scott County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Scott County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Arugula

Arugula needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Arugula Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Scott County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Arugula Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, MN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 31
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

168 days in Scott County

Growing Tips for Scott 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 Scott County, MN?

Scott County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, MN?

Scott County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Scott County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Scott County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.