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When to plant Arugula in Marion County, MO

Aim to plant Arugula in Marion County on or after March 31; the window stays open through April 21. Marion County's 190-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Arugula in Marion County, MO

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.

Marion County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,252 feet, Marion County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Marion County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Timeline — Marion County, MO

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest May 19 May 19 – Jul 21
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

190 days in Marion County

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, MO?

Marion County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, MO?

Marion County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Arugula in Marion County, MO?

In Marion County, MO, plant Arugula after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Marion County, MO for Arugula?

Marion 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 Marion County's climate?

Yes — Arugula grows well in Marion County's temperate climate. Marion County averages a 190-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Marion County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marion 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 Marion County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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