When to plant arugula in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida 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 Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Jan 10 – Jan 29. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Florida: Jan 27 · Feb 8 · Feb 20 · Mar 4 · Mar 16
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 Florida, 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 (Jan 10 – Jan 29). 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 Florida.
- 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 Feb 14 – Feb 24). 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 Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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.
When to plant arugula in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 15 – Mar 6 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Jan 31 – Feb 19 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in Florida?
Sow arugula in Florida between January 10 and January 29. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in Florida?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between October 19 and November 5, so the crop matures in cool weather before Florida's first frost around December 10.
When will arugula planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about February 14 to February 24, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.