When to plant Arugula in Silver Bow County, MT
In Zone 5a (Silver Bow County), direct-sow Arugula between June 1 and June 22 for spring, after the June 15 last-frost mark. A second sowing from June 29 to July 13 extends the harvest into fall.
When to Plant Arugula in Silver Bow County, MT
June to-do list for Silver Bow County, Montana
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Plant out arugula
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Put arugula seeds straight in the ground
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
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Start your fall crops: arugula
Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.
Looking ahead to July
- Starting indoors: arugula
- First harvests: arugula
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.
Silver Bow County, Montana is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 84 days.
At an elevation of 5,305 feet, Silver Bow County receives approximately 14.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Arugula successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Silver Bow County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Arugula Planting Risk Windows
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 Silver Bow County
How your county's soil matches Arugula's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–8.3) is more alkaline than Arugula prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Silver Bow County is excellent for Arugula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Arugula.
How to Plant Arugula
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Arugula
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 29.
Arugula Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 2.6" | 0.9" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Silver Bow 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 Planting Timeline — Silver Bow County, MT
Arugula Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 15 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 |
| Direct Sow | June 1 | Jun 1 – Jun 22 |
| Harvest | July 20 | Jul 20 – Sep 21 |
| Fall Sowing | June 29 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
84 days in Silver Bow County
Growing Tips for Arugula in Silver Bow County
Direct sow Arugula outdoors after June 15 in Silver Bow County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Arugula in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Arugula in Silver Bow County, MT?
Silver Bow County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 15. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Silver Bow County, MT?
Silver Bow County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and first fall frost is September 7.
When should I plant Arugula in Silver Bow County, MT?
In Silver Bow County, MT, plant Arugula after the last frost (around June 15) and before the first frost (around September 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Silver Bow County, MT for Arugula?
Silver Bow County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Arugula grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Arugula grow in Silver Bow County's climate?
Yes — Arugula grows well in Silver Bow County's temperate climate. Silver Bow County averages a 84-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 15 and first frost around September 7.
Your Silver Bow County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Silver Bow County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.