When to plant arugula in Longview and Kelso, WA

Plant arugula from seed, directly in the garden in Longview and Kelso, Mar 1 – Apr 12. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 27 – Sep 17.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Longview and Kelso's typical last spring frost is April 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 1.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Mar 1 – Apr 12, ¼ inch deep, Thin to 4 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Plant again Aug 27 – Sep 17 for a fall harvest.
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 Longview and Kelso, WA?

Typically April 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 2. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Longview.

Is it too late to plant arugula in Longview and Kelso?

The spring planting window runs through April 12. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 27 to September 17.

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 Longview and Kelso around the same time

Planting dates for arugula in nearby areas

Vancouver, WA Mar 1 – Apr 12
Centralia and Chehalis, WA Mar 11 – Apr 22
Portland, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Gresham, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Salem, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12

Full planting calendar for Longview and Kelso · Arugula in every city