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When to Plant Purslane in Kitsap County, WA

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.

Kitsap County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 264 feet, Kitsap County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season.

Kitsap County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Kitsap County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Purslane needs ~688 GDD — county provides 3,093 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline โ€” Kitsap County, WA

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jun 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

225 days

Growing Tips for Kitsap 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 Kitsap County, WA?

Kitsap County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kitsap County, WA?

Kitsap County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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