When to Plant Mache in USDA Zone 8a
What to do in May
May is a pivotal month for Zone 8a gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: mache
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Collect mache at their peak
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: mache
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.
In Zone 8a, the average last spring frost is around March 8 and the first fall frost is around November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.
Mache Planting Timeline — Zone 8a
Where Is USDA Zone 8a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8a. Click any state to see the Mache planting schedule for that location.
Mache Planting Calendar — Zone 8a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 1 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Direct Sow | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 15 |
| Harvest | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 24 |
| Fall Sowing | September 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
255 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Mache in Zone
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Mache in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~255 days). Start Mache indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Mache Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Mache in Other Zones
Mache by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mache in Zone 8a?
In Zone 8a, plan your Mache planting around the average last frost date of March 8. Start seeds indoors around February 1. Direct sow outdoors around February 22. Transplant seedlings around March 8.
Can Mache grow in Zone 8a?
Yes, Mache can grow well in Zone 8a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 8a has a growing season of approximately 255 days, which is sufficient for Mache (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Mache in Zone 8a?
In Zone 8a, expect to harvest Mache from April 19 – May 24. Mache takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8a is around March 8, and the first fall frost is around November 18. This gives a growing season of approximately 255 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Mache?
Good companion plants for Mache include Lettuce, Spinach, Radish. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.