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When to Plant Purslane in Angelina County, TX

Angelina County, Texas Zone 8b April

Your April planting checklist for Angelina County, Texas

Here's what deserves your attention in Angelina County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 12.8 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for purslane

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Collect purslane at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

A few tasks this April that'll pay off in May
  • First harvests: 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.

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 32 feet, Angelina County receives approximately 63.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Purslane may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Purslane will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Purslane root diseases.

Angelina County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16
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Angelina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – May 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17

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 Angelina County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) overlaps with Purslane's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help 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

7
successive plantings in your 256-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Angelina 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 ~1,062 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Purslane Planting Timeline — Angelina County, TX

Purslane Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 12
Harvest April 16 Apr 16 – May 21
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Angelina County

Growing Tips for Purslane in Angelina County

Direct sow Purslane outdoors after March 05 in Angelina County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 256.0-day season in Angelina 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 Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Purslane planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Angelina County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Angelina County (Zone 8b). 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 Angelina County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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