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When to plant Purslane in Delaware County County,

Plant Purslane in Delaware County County after April 26; the prime window is April 12–May 3. A second sowing from August 7 to August 21 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Purslane in Delaware County, IN

Delaware County, Indiana Zone 6a June

June in Delaware County, Indiana — your action list

Your Delaware County, Indiana garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 26
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Collect purslane at their peak

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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.

Delaware County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 739 feet, Delaware County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Purslane to ensure they mature before fall.

Delaware County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Delaware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Purslane Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 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.

Soil Compatibility in Delaware County

How your county's soil matches Purslane's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.0) is within Purslane's preferred range (5.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Delaware County is excellent for Purslane — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Purslane will thrive.

How to Plant Purslane

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Purslane

5
successive plantings in your 173-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 07.

Purslane Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Purslane

Purslane needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Purslane Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Delaware County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Purslane Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Purslane needs ~612 GDD — county provides 2,119 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline — Delaware County, IN

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 – May 3
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 – Jul 12
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Delaware County

Growing Tips for Purslane in Delaware County

Direct sow Purslane outdoors after April 26 in Delaware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 173.0-day season in Delaware County allows multiple plantings of Purslane. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Purslane in Delaware County, IN?

Delaware County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Delaware County, IN?

Delaware County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Purslane in Delaware County County, ?

In Delaware County County, , plant Purslane after the last frost (around April 26) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Delaware County County, for Purslane?

Delaware County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Purslane grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Purslane grow in Delaware County County's climate?

Yes — Purslane grows well in Delaware County County's temperate climate. Delaware County County averages a 173-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 26 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Delaware County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Delaware County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Delaware County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.