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When to plant Arugula in Sherburne County, MN

For Sherburne County, gardeners: plant Arugula April 24 through May 15 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from July 14 to July 28 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Sherburne County, MN

Sherburne County, Minnesota Zone 4b June

Your June gardening checklist

Welcome to June in Zone 4b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.5 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for arugula

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Collect arugula at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: arugula
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Sherburne County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 568 feet, Sherburne County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Sherburne County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Sherburne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24

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 Sherburne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.1) overlaps with Arugula's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Arugula.

How to Plant Arugula

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Arugula

6
successive plantings in your 158-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.

Arugula Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.6" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Sherburne 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 ~460 GDD — county provides 1,817 GDD Excellent fit

Arugula Planting Timeline — Sherburne County, MN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 – Aug 7
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 – Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
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 4b

📆 Growing Season

158 days in Sherburne County

Growing Tips for Arugula in Sherburne County

Direct sow Arugula outdoors after May 01 in Sherburne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 158.0-day season in Sherburne 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 Sherburne County, MN?

Sherburne County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherburne County, MN?

Sherburne County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 6.

When should I plant Arugula in Sherburne County, MN?

In Sherburne County, MN, plant Arugula after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sherburne County, MN for Arugula?

Sherburne County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Arugula grow in Sherburne County's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Sherburne County's temperate climate. Sherburne County averages a 158-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Sherburne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sherburne County (Zone 4b). 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 Sherburne County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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