When to Plant Arugula in Washington, District of Columbia (20002)

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

ZIP Code

20002

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, February 20, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

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 Washington?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 20, 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 Washington, District of Columbia? +

In Washington (Zone 8a), direct sow Arugula outdoors around Friday, February 20, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Washington, District of Columbia? +

The average last spring frost date for Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20002) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Arugula take to grow? +

Arugula typically matures in about 40 days from direct sowing. In Washington, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, February 20, 2026 plus 40 days.

Should I start Arugula indoors or direct sow in District of Columbia? +

Arugula does best when direct sown outdoors. In Washington, sow directly around Friday, February 20, 2026.

📚 More Arugula Planting Guides

🗺️

Arugula in District of Columbia

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Arugula Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Arugula in Zone 8a

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Washington, District of Columbia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, February 20, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Arugula grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.