When to plant arugula in McMinnville and Newberg, OR

Plant arugula from seed, directly in the garden in McMinnville and Newberg, Mar 4 – Apr 15. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 27 – Sep 17.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

McMinnville and Newberg's typical last spring frost is April 15. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

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 4 – Apr 15, 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 McMinnville and Newberg, OR?

Typically April 15. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 6. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for McMinnville Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant arugula in McMinnville and Newberg?

The spring planting window runs through April 15. 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 McMinnville and Newberg around the same time

Planting dates for arugula in nearby areas

Salem, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Eugene, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Corvallis and Albany, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Cottage Grove, OR Mar 13 – Apr 24
Portland, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12
Gresham, OR Mar 1 – Apr 12

Full planting calendar for McMinnville and Newberg · Arugula in every city