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When to Plant Purslane in Parker 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.

Parker County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 4,469 feet, Parker County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Purslane, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Purslane root diseases.

Parker County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Parker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Purslane needs ~838 GDD — county provides 4,003 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Parker County, TX

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

239 days

Growing Tips for Parker 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 Parker County, TX?

Parker County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Parker County, TX?

Parker County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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