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When to Plant Purslane in Runnels 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.

Runnels County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 4,833 feet, Runnels County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season.

Runnels County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Runnels County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – May 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (156 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Purslane needs ~875 GDD — county provides 4,217 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Runnels County, TX

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ Jun 4

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

241 days

Growing Tips for Runnels 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 Runnels County, TX?

Runnels County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Runnels County, TX?

Runnels County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Runnels 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 Runnels County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.