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When to Plant Purslane in White Pine County, NV

White Pine County, Nevada Zone 6a May

Your May game plan for White Pine County, Nevada

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in White Pine County, Nevada.

Avg. last frost June 12
Avg. first frost September 12
Soil temp (4") 39°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Plant purslane from seed, right in the garden

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Transplants going out: purslane

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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.

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 92 days.

At an elevation of 6,766 feet, White Pine County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Purslane during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Purslane will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Purslane successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

White Pine County, NV (Zone 6a) Very short season
92 days
Last Spring Frost June 12
92 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

White Pine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 3 Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 8 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 17 Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 6

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 White Pine County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) overlaps with Purslane's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in White Pine County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Purslane will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Purslane.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Purslane.

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

2
successive plantings in your 92-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 04.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 0.5" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in White Pine 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 ~912 GDD — county provides 1,679 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline — White Pine County, NV

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 8 May 8 – May 22
Transplant Outdoors June 12 Jun 12 – Jun 26
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 – Jun 19
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 – Aug 28
Fall Sowing July 4 Jul 4 – Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

92 days in White Pine County

Growing Tips for Purslane in White Pine County

Direct sow Purslane outdoors after June 12 in White Pine County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in White Pine County dries quickly — mulch Purslane with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

White Pine County receives only 15" of rain annually. Purslane needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 12. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and first fall frost is September 12.

🌱

Your White Pine County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for White Pine 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 White Pine County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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