When to plant arugula in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Arugula needs 30–40 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant arugula in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 2 – Apr 21. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in West Virginia: Apr 19 · May 1 · May 13 · May 25 · Jun 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 West Virginia, 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 2 – Apr 21). 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 West Virginia.
- 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 7 – May 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full arugula growing guide.
Arugula planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia 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
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
| New Jersey | 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 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant arugula in West Virginia?
Sow arugula in West Virginia between April 2 and April 21. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
Can I plant arugula in the fall in West Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 14 and August 31, so the crop matures in cool weather before West Virginia's first frost around October 5.
When will arugula planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, arugula is usually ready from about May 7 to May 17, 30-40 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.