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When to Plant Arugula in Sherman County, NE

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.

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Sherman County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Sherman County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Arugula Planting Timeline — Sherman County, NE

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 15
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 – Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

149 days in Sherman County

Growing Tips for Sherman 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 Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 5.

🌱

Your Sherman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sherman County (Zone 5b). 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 Sherman County, NE. 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.