When to Plant Arugula in Arizona

Growing Arugula in Arizona: Complete Guide

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. Depending on your zone, the right time to direct sow in Arizona falls between December 28, 2026 (Zone 10a) and March 28, 2027 (Zone 5b), once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Arizona stretches across 10 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 40 days to maturity, Arugula fits comfortably within Arizona's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Arugula requires partial shade to full sun and regular (keep moist) moisture. In the arid Southwest, intense sun and low humidity mean irrigation is essential; mulch to prevent rapid soil moisture loss.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Arizona.