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When to Plant Purslane in Zavala 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.

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 4,905 feet, Zavala County receives approximately 59.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Purslane root diseases.

Zavala County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Zavala County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (205 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – Apr 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – May 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (191 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 8

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Purslane needs ~988 GDD — county provides 5,470 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Zavala County, TX

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 5
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Mar 5
Fall Sowing September 20 Sep 20 โ€“ Oct 4
Harvest April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ May 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Zavala 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 Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Zavala County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Zavala County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.