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When to Plant Purslane in Bee County, TX

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.

Bee County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 301 days.

At an elevation of 2,076 feet, Bee County receives approximately 68.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Purslane may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Purslane root diseases.

Bee County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
301 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
301 growing days
First Fall Frost December 11

Bee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (236 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 29 Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 9 – Apr 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (224 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 27 – May 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (214 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 21

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Purslane needs ~1,362 GDD — county provides 8,229 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Bee County, TX

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Fall Sowing October 16 Oct 16 โ€“ Oct 30
Harvest March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ May 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

301 days

Growing Tips for Bee 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 Bee County, TX?

Bee County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bee County, TX?

Bee County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bee County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Bee County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.