Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Arugula Microgreens in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 microgreen →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Arugula Microgreens · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 4 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 5 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 6 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 7 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 8 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 9 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| Zone 10 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Growing arugula microgreens requires minimal setup but attention to detail for maximum yields. Start with a shallow growing tray with drainage holes, or use a solid tray with a perforated insert to prevent waterlogging.
Prepare your growing medium by moistening seed starting mix or coconut coir until it holds together when squeezed but isn't dripping. Fill your tray with about 1 inch of medium, creating a smooth, level surface. The key to successful arugula microgreens is even moisture distribution from day one.
Sow seeds densely across the entire surface – you want roughly 1-2 tablespoons per 10x20 inch tray. Don't worry about spacing; microgreens thrive when grown thick. Gently press seeds into the medium using another flat tray, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact without burying them deeply. Mist the surface lightly and cover with an opaque lid or inverted tray to create darkness for germination.
Place your covered tray in a location with temperatures between 65-75°F. Check daily and mist if the surface appears dry, but avoid overwatering – the number one killer of microgreens is damping off from excess moisture. You'll see germination within 2-3 days.
Once seeds germinate and cotyledons appear, remove the cover and provide light. LED grow lights work best, positioned 12-18 inches above the tray for 12-14 hours daily. If using a sunny windowsill, choose east or west-facing windows to avoid scorching the delicate seedlings.
Stop misting once true leaves begin forming – usually day 4-5. Instead, water from below by placing your perforated tray in a solid tray with about ¼ inch of water. Let the medium absorb moisture from below, then drain excess water after 10-15 minutes.
Avoid fertilizing entirely – the seed's stored energy provides all nutrients needed for this short growing cycle. Common mistakes include overwatering, insufficient air circulation, and harvesting too early when only cotyledons are present. Wait for the first true leaves to develop for optimal flavor and nutrition.
For continuous harvests, start new trays every 3-4 days. This succession planting ensures you'll have fresh arugula microgreens ready when the previous batch is harvested.
Harvesting
Harvest arugula microgreens when the first true leaves are fully developed and the plants stand 1-2 inches tall, typically 7-10 days after sowing. Look for vibrant green cotyledons and at least one set of small, lobed true leaves that show the characteristic arugula shape.
Harvest in the morning when plants are fully hydrated and crisp. Use sharp, clean scissors or a knife to cut stems about ¼ inch above the soil line. Cut in small sections rather than attempting to harvest the entire tray at once – this keeps unharvested portions fresh longer.
The stems should snap cleanly when cut, indicating proper moisture content. Avoid harvesting if the growing medium is overly wet, as this increases the chance of introducing bacteria. Never pull microgreens from the soil, as this can introduce growing medium into your harvest and damage neighboring plants.
Arugula microgreens are ready when they taste intensely peppery but not bitter. If left too long, they become tough and overly spicy. Harvest before any yellowing occurs in the cotyledons, which indicates the plants are beginning to decline in quality.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh arugula microgreens are highly perishable and best used within 3-5 days of harvest. Immediately after cutting, gently rinse in cool water and spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels, removing any growing medium particles.
Store in the refrigerator at 35-40°F in a breathable container – a plastic clamshell with small ventilation holes or a partially open plastic bag works well. Place a slightly damp paper towel in the container to maintain humidity without creating excess moisture that causes rot.
For longer storage, arugula microgreens can be frozen, though texture changes significantly. Flash freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months. Use frozen microgreens in cooked dishes like soups, sauces, or smoothies rather than fresh applications.
Dehydrating is another option – use a dehydrator at 95°F until crisp, then store in airtight containers. Dried arugula microgreens make excellent seasoning blends and retain much of their peppery flavor. Unlike mature arugula, microgreens are too delicate for traditional preservation methods like fermenting or canning.
History & Origin
Arugula microgreens represent a modern twist on an ancient Mediterranean vegetable. While arugula (Eruca sativa) has been cultivated since Roman times – the Romans considered it both food and aphrodisiac – growing it as microgreens is a relatively recent innovation.
The microgreens movement began in the 1980s in San Francisco, where high-end chefs like Alice Waters began incorporating these tiny greens as garnishes and flavor enhancers. Arugula was among the first varieties adopted because its bold, peppery flavor translates exceptionally well to the microgreen stage, delivering intense taste in a small package.
Commercial microgreen production exploded in the 1990s as restaurants discovered these nutrient-dense greens could provide concentrated flavors and visual appeal. Arugula microgreens became particularly popular because they offer the sophisticated, peppery bite that chefs love without the sometimes overwhelming intensity of mature arugula leaves.
Today, arugula microgreens bridge traditional Mediterranean cuisine with modern culinary trends. They've democratized gourmet cooking, allowing home gardeners to grow restaurant-quality ingredients in just a week. This accessibility has made arugula microgreens one of the most popular varieties for both commercial growers and home enthusiasts seeking to add bold flavors to their cooking year-round.
Advantages
- +Extremely fast harvest cycle at just 7-10 days from seed to plate
- +Intense peppery flavor that surpasses mature arugula in concentration
- +Thrives in cool conditions making it perfect for winter growing
- +Requires no fertilization due to rapid growth cycle
- +High germination rate of 90%+ with proper moisture management
- +Naturally pest-resistant due to short growing period
- +Dense sowing means maximum yield per square foot of growing space
Considerations
- -Extremely short shelf life of only 3-5 days after harvest
- -Sensitive to overwatering which quickly causes damping off
- -Flavor can become overpoweringly spicy if harvested too late
- -Cannot be regrown after harvest like some cut-and-come-again microgreens
- -Requires daily monitoring during the critical germination phase
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and flea beetles that commonly attack arugula, enhances growth
Lettuce
Similar growing conditions and harvest timing, efficient use of growing space
Radish
Quick germination helps break soil crust, deters flea beetles from arugula
Chives
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and other soft-bodied insects
Spinach
Compatible cool-season crop with similar water and light requirements
Cilantro
Attracts beneficial insects and has complementary growth habits
Dill
Repels aphids and cabbage worms, attracts beneficial predatory insects
Marigold
Natural nematode control and general pest deterrent through root secretions
Keep Apart
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of most brassicas
Tomato
May stunt arugula growth through root competition and chemical inhibition
Black Walnut
Juglone toxicity severely inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants like arugula
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease-free with quick growing cycle
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids (minimal issues in microgreen production)
Diseases
Damping off from overwatering