Blog

When to Plant Arugula in Karnes County, TX

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.

Karnes County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 4,532 feet, Karnes County receives approximately 67.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Arugula may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Arugula root diseases.

Karnes County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
277 growing days
First Fall Frost November 30

Karnes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Arugula Planting Timeline — Karnes County, TX

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 26
Harvest April 2 Apr 2 – Jun 4
Fall Sowing October 5 Oct 5 – Oct 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

277 days in Karnes County

Growing Tips for Karnes 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 Karnes County, TX?

Karnes County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Karnes County, TX?

Karnes County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 30.

🌱

Your Karnes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Karnes County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Karnes County, TX. 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.