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When to Plant Arugula in Monroe County, TN

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.

Monroe County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 3,185 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Arugula during the growing season.

Monroe County, TN (Zone 7b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Arugula Planting Timeline — Monroe County, TN

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest May 14 May 14 – Jul 16
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 – Aug 28

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 7b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Monroe County

Growing Tips for Monroe 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 Monroe County, TN?

Monroe County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, TN?

Monroe County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 23.

🌱

Your Monroe County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Monroe County (Zone 7b). 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 Monroe County, TN. 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.