Rainline Garden

When to plant arugula in Baker City, OR

Plant arugula from seed, directly in the garden in Baker City, Apr 20 – Jun 1. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 28 – Aug 18.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Baker City's typical last spring frost is May 25. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the high desert and mountains, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 20.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
Thin to 4 inches apart
Planting depth
¼ inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 35 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Apr 20 – Jun 1, ¼ inch deep, Thin to 4 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Plant again Jul 28 – Aug 18 for a fall harvest.
  5. Harvest: Pick leaves when they're 2 to 3 inches long, about three weeks after sowing. Young leaves are the mildest.

Varieties that do well here

  • Astro
  • Wild arugula (Sylvetta)
  • Rocket

Watch out for

Flea beetles riddle the leaves with tiny holes in spring. Floating row cover laid on at sowing keeps them off.

Fast and frost-tolerant. It bolts in heat, so sow small batches in spring and again in late summer.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Baker City, OR?

Typically May 25. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 16. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Baker City Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant arugula in Baker City?

The spring planting window runs through June 1. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 28 to August 18.

How long until I can harvest arugula?

About 35 days after planting. Pick leaves when they're 2 to 3 inches long, about three weeks after sowing. Young leaves are the mildest.

Also plant in Baker City around the same time

Planting dates for arugula in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Baker City · Arugula in every city