Arugula: An Ideal Plant for Winter Container Gardening

Arugula is an ideal plant for container gardening, and an ideal plant for growing in winter in many sections of California. Ideal growing conditions for arugula are full sun at about 50° F to 65° F. Arugula generally withstands mild overnight frosts, and requires protection in the form of cloth, plastic, or cardboard sheets only when temperatures dip down below about 26° or 27° F. To identify the ideal times of year to grow arugula in your area, find your GardenZeus Climate Zone.

All varieties of arugula are suitable for growing in containers. Containers allow you to move arugula to follow seasonal changes in sun, to warmer areas during winter, and to protected areas when necessary in response to winds or other environmental factors.

Pots or containers for growing arugula should be of at least 6 inches in depth; 10 to 12 inches or more is preferable. GardenZeus recommends a soil mix of at least 2/3 sand and topsoil when growing arugula in containers, with some organic matter or compost. Potting soils with high proportions of organic matter tend to shrink and collapse over the course of a growing season as soil microbes and macro organisms like insects digest or decompose the organic matter, which results in falling soil levels.

Arugula does not transplant well and generally should be seeded directly, either broadcasted or seeds planted individually.

Arugula is sensitive to drying soil and will wilt easily, which can reduce leaf quality, shorten the harvest period, and lead to premature bolting. Soils may dry rapidly in containers during periods without rain, so monitoring and regular watering of arugula in containers is important. Pay close attention to soil moisture and frequency of irrigation, and be sure to water sufficiently to avoid any signs of wilting. If you know you may have difficulty maintaining consistent soil moisture, consider using self-watering containers, which have a reservoir of water and a wicking mechanism, such as cloth or soil tubes. These can be purchased or made yourself.