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When to Plant Arugula in Douglas County, WI

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.

Douglas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,147 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Arugula to ensure they mature before fall.

Douglas County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Arugula Planting Timeline — Douglas County, WI

Arugula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 – May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 – Aug 22
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 – Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Douglas 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 Douglas County, WI?

Douglas County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Arugula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, WI?

Douglas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 28.

🌱

Your Douglas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Douglas County (Zone 4a). 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 Douglas County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.