When to plant arugula in Missouri
Missouri’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 18 — about 186 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Missouri's growing season.
When to plant arugula in Missouri: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 13 – Apr 1. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Missouri: Mar 30 · Apr 11 · Apr 23 · May 5 · May 17
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 Missouri, 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 (Mar 13 – Apr 1). 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 Missouri.
- 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 Apr 17 – Apr 27). 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 Missouri’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Missouri ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in Missouri?
Sow arugula in Missouri between March 13 and April 1. That timing is set by Missouri's average last spring frost of April 15.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in Missouri?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 27 and September 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before Missouri's first frost around October 18.
When will arugula planted in Missouri be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about April 17 to April 27, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Missouri?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 18 - about 186 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.