When to plant arugula in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant arugula in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 14 – May 3. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Alaska: May 1 · May 13 · May 25 · Jun 6 · Jun 18
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow arugula in Alaska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 8 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 14 – May 3). Space plants about 4 inches apart in rows 10 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alaska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: flea beetle, aphids, cabbage worm. Diseases and disorders: downy mildew, white rust.
- Harvest (from about May 19 – May 29). Arugula takes 30-40 days to reach harvest. One of the fastest crops - baby leaves in about 3 weeks. Turns sharp and bitter and bolts in heat, so it is a spring/fall green. Flea beetles love it; grow under mesh.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the arugula dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant arugula |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | - | May 13 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | - | Apr 29 – May 18 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | - | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | Mar 28 – Apr 16 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Mar 13 – Apr 1 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Feb 15 – Mar 6 |
When to plant arugula in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | Apr 14 – May 3 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in Alaska?
Sow arugula in Alaska between April 14 and May 3. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in Alaska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 23 and August 9, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alaska's first frost around September 13.
When will arugula planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about May 19 to May 29, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.