When to plant arugula in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant arugula in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Jan 31 – Feb 19. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Feb 17 · Mar 1 · Mar 13 · Mar 25 · Apr 6
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 Louisiana, 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 31 – Feb 19). 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 Louisiana.
- 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 Mar 7 – Mar 17). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Jan 31 – Feb 19 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 15 – Mar 6 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in Louisiana?
Sow arugula in Louisiana between January 31 and February 19. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 24 and October 11, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will arugula planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about March 7 to March 17, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.