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When to Plant Mache in Clatsop County, OR

Mache (corn salad) is a cold-hardy salad green with small, rounded, tender leaves and a mild, nutty flavor. It thrives in cool weather and even overwinters in many climates.

Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 412 feet, Clatsop County receives approximately 54.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mache root diseases.

Clatsop County, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Clatsop County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16

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 Clatsop County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.7) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Clatsop County is excellent for Mache โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) โ€” Mache will thrive.

How to Plant Mache

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 Mache

6
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 26.

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Mache

Mache needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mache Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 8.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 5.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 8.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 9.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Clatsop County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mache 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Mache needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,987 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Clatsop County, OR

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 28
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Clatsop County

Growing Tips for Mache in Clatsop County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 12 in Clatsop County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 206.0-day season in Clatsop County allows multiple plantings of Mache. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

Direct sow in early spring or late summer for fall and winter harvest. Seeds need light to germinate so press gently into soil surface. Harvest whole rosettes.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in Clatsop County, OR?

Clatsop County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clatsop County, OR?

Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clatsop County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clatsop County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.