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When to Plant Purslane in Perry County, TN

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.

Perry County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 2,303 feet, Perry County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Purslane root diseases.

Perry County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Purslane needs ~950 GDD — county provides 3,800 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, TN

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Perry 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 Perry County, TN?

Perry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, TN?

Perry County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Perry County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.