When to Plant Arugula in New York City, New York (10021)

Location

New York City, New York

ZIP Code

10021

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, April 5, 2026 · Zone 7b

Pro tip: Sow Arugula directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa

Days to Maturity 40 days

Mature Height 6-12"

Spread 6"

Type Leaf

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Partial Shade to Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular (keep moist)

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 3-7 days

Ready to Plant Arugula in New York City?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, March 8, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CarrotLettuceRadishBean

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Arugula

See which plants help Arugula thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let plants bolt and seed pods dry on the stalk. Harvest before pods shatter.

Processing

Cut stalks into a bag, dry, thresh to separate seeds from pods.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Arugula cross-pollinates readily — isolate by 300 feet from other arugula varieties for pure seed.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Arugula. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Arugula in New York City, New York? +

In New York City (Zone 7b), direct sow Arugula outdoors around Sunday, March 8, 2026.

What is the last frost date for New York City, New York? +

The average last spring frost date for New York City, New York (ZIP 10021) is around Sunday, April 5, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7b.

How long does Arugula take to grow? +

Arugula typically matures in about 40 days from direct sowing. In New York City, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, March 8, 2026 plus 40 days.

Should I start Arugula indoors or direct sow in New York? +

Arugula does best when direct sown outdoors. In New York City, sow directly around Sunday, March 8, 2026.

📚 More Arugula Planting Guides

🗺️

Arugula in New York

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 7b Arugula Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Growing Arugula in Zone 7b

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In New York City, New York, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Arugula grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.