When to plant arugula in Maine
Maine’s average last spring frost is May 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 134 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maine's growing season.
When to plant arugula in Maine: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 11 – Apr 30. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Maine: Apr 28 · May 10 · May 22 · Jun 3 · Jun 15
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 Maine, 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 11 – Apr 30). 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 Maine.
- 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 16 – May 26). 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 Maine’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maine (this page) | May 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 30 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 29 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 30 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Mar 23 – Apr 11 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Mar 23 – Apr 11 |
| New York | May 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
Questions gardeners in Maine ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in Maine?
Sow arugula in Maine between April 11 and April 30. That timing is set by Maine's average last spring frost of May 14.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in Maine?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 4 and August 21, so the crop matures in cool weather before Maine's first frost around September 25.
When will arugula planted in Maine be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about May 16 to May 26, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Maine?
On average around May 14, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 134 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.