Arugula Seed Starting Tips

Sharing is caring!

Arugula is a cool-season crop. It can be grown in early spring and in fall.

Sow arugula seeds directly in the garden 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring or as soon as the soil is workable. To set out transplants start seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks before transplanting. Set transplants in the garden 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost. Transplants will give you a head start on the season.

Make succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until temperatures begin to warm in late spring then sow again in late summer for harvest in cool autumn weather.

Grow arugula in moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil. If temperatures warm you can mulch them with aged compost to keep the plants from bolting.

Arugula matures in about 40 days. Start to harvest outer leaves as soon as they are usable size. This cut-and-come-again method will prolong the harvest. The flavor and texture of leaves are best when leaves are still young and tender.

Good Products for Raised Bed Growing at Amazon:

• Cedar Raised Bed 4×8
• Elevated Cedar Planter 4×2
• Walk-In Greenhouse Tunnel 15x7x7
• Row Cover for Freeze Protection 10×30

Arugula is also known as rocket and roquette. The leaves and flowers of arugula resemble those of the radish or turnip.

Direct seed arugula in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked or start seed indoors 12 to 8 weeks before the last frost in spring protected by a plastic tunnel. Seeds germinate quickly even in cold soil and light frost will not harm the seedlings.

Avoid growing arugula during the summer. Warm temperatures cause arugula leaves to become bitter and pungent.

Arugula planting details

• Sowing depth: ¼ inch (.6 cm)
• Space between plants after thinning: 6 inches (15cm)
• Days to sprout: 5-7
• Days to harvest: 40 days or as soon as the leaves are edible
• Storage period: 1-2 weeks
• Seeds per 100-row feet:  ¼ ounce (7 grams)
• Yield per 100-row feet: 100 heads
• Suggested varieties: Astro, Runway, Rocket, Italian Wild Rustic

Arugula sowing and planting tips

• Arugula can be grown from seeds or transplants.
• Seed is viable for 5 years.
• Direct seed arugula in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked—as early as 8 weeks before the last frost in spring. Seeds germinate quickly even in cold soil and light frost will not harm the seedlings. Start indoors 12 to 8 weeks before the last frost or sow into the garden 2 weeks before the last frost.
• Sow seed ¼ inch (6 mm) deep.
• Sow seeds 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) apart; later thin seedlings 6 inches (15 cm) apart. Make sure there is good air circulation around maturing plants to avoid disease.
• To grow arugula for harvest as small salad leaves, broadcast seed across the planting bed and then thin and harvest as soon as leaves are 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall or larger.
• Arugula grows best in full sun but can tolerate light shade.
• Prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Seed germinates in 5 to 7 days at or near 60°F (7°C)—but the seed will germinate in the soil as chilly as 40°F (4°C).
• Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate then keep the soil moist until seedlings are well established.
• Add aged compost to planting beds in advance of sowing; compost will feed the soil and aid moisture retention.
• Avoid planting arugula where cabbage, collards, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts have recently grown.
• Make successive sowings every few weeks for an extended harvest.
• Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion at half strength.
• Aphids, flea beetles, snails, and slugs can attack endive radicchio.

More tips at How to Grow Arugula.

Good Products for Growing Arugula at Amazon:

• Monterey BT Caterpillar Killer
• Harris Diatomaceous Earth with Duster
• Bonide Sulfur Fungicide

Interplanting: Interplant arugula with lettuce or other fast-growing crops or plant beneath slower-growing crops.

Container Growing: Grow arugula in a container at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide and deep.

Arugula recommended planting calendar

Spring planting:

• 8 weeks before the last frost in spring: direct-sow in a plastic tunnel or cold frame.
• 8 weeks before the last frost in spring: start seed indoors for transplanting later.
• 2 weeks before the last frost in spring: direct sow in the garden.

Planting for fall and winter harvest:

• 5-6 weeks before the first frost in fall: direct-sow in the garden for a fall crop.
• 3-5 weeks before the first frost in fall: direct-sow in a plastic tunnel or cold frame for winter harvest.

Arugula Spring seed sowing dates

(These dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)

Arugula recommended varieties

• ‘Astro’ and ‘Runway’ are early varieties.
• ‘Rocket’ and ‘Italian Wild Rustic’ are standards.

Botanical Name: Eruca sativa

Arugula belongs to the Brassicacea (Cruciferae) or cabbage family; other members of the Brassicacea family include cabbage, kale, collard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and turnips.

Arugula articles at Harvest to Table:

How to Plant and Grow Arugula – Rocket

Arugula Seed Starting Tips

How to Harvest and Store Arugula

How to Prepare and Serve Arugula

Garden Planning Books at Amazon:

• Tomato Grower’s Answer Book
• Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner
• Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide Vegetable Encyclopedia
• Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide