Rainline Garden

When to plant arugula in Vancouver, WA

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

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Vancouver's typical last spring frost is March 29. 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

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 1 – Apr 12, 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 Aug 27 – Sep 17 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 Vancouver, WA?

Typically March 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 18. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Vancouver Pearson Field.

Is it too late to plant arugula in Vancouver?

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 Vancouver around the same time

Planting dates for arugula in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Vancouver · Arugula in every city