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When to Plant Purslane in Amador County, CA

Purslane is a succulent edible plant rich in omega-3 fatty acids, often considered a weed but increasingly valued as a nutritious green. It has a lemony, peppery flavor.

Amador County, California is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 1,335 feet, Amador County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season.

Amador County, CA (Zone 8a) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 25

Amador County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 1 Transplant: Feb 5 🍅 Harvest: Mar 19 – Apr 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – May 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 5

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Purslane needs ~838 GDD — county provides 4,388 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Amador County, CA

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 15
Fall Sowing September 16 Sep 16 โ€“ Sep 30
Harvest April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 24

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

262 days

Growing Tips for Amador County

Direct sow after last frost or allow to self-seed. Purslane thrives in hot, dry conditions. Harvest stem tips regularly. Contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy green.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Purslane in Amador County, CA?

Amador County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Amador County, CA?

Amador County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Amador County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Amador County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.