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When to Plant Mache in Gibson County, TN

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.

Gibson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,658 feet, Gibson County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mache root diseases.

Gibson County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Gibson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 5

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mache needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,605 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Gibson County, TN

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Gibson County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in Gibson County, TN?

Gibson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gibson County, TN?

Gibson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gibson County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Gibson County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.