When to plant arugula in Minnesota
Minnesota’s average last spring frost is May 6, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 28 — about 145 frost-free days (USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Minnesota's growing season.
When to plant arugula in Minnesota: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 3 – Apr 22. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Minnesota: Apr 20 · May 2 · May 14 · May 26 · Jun 7
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 Minnesota, 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 3 – Apr 22). 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 Minnesota.
- 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 8 – May 18). 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 Minnesota’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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
Questions gardeners in Minnesota ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in Minnesota?
Sow arugula in Minnesota between April 3 and April 22. That timing is set by Minnesota's average last spring frost of May 6.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in Minnesota?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 7 and August 24, so the crop matures in cool weather before Minnesota's first frost around September 28.
When will arugula planted in Minnesota be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about May 8 to May 18, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Minnesota?
On average around May 6, with the first fall frost around September 28 - about 145 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.