When to plant arugula in New Jersey
New Jersey’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season.
When to plant arugula in New Jersey: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 18 – Apr 6. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in New Jersey: Apr 4 · Apr 16 · Apr 28 · May 10 · May 22
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 New Jersey, 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 18 – Apr 6). 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 New Jersey.
- 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 22 – May 2). 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 New Jersey’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (this page) | April 20 | Mar 18 – Apr 6 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 12 – Mar 31 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 12 – Mar 31 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 13 – Apr 1 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
Questions gardeners in New Jersey ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in New Jersey?
Sow arugula in New Jersey between March 18 and April 6. That timing is set by New Jersey's average last spring frost of April 20.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in New Jersey?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 24 and September 10, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Jersey's first frost around October 15.
When will arugula planted in New Jersey be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about April 22 to May 2, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in New Jersey?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.