When to Plant Mache in USDA Zone 9b
Your April gardening checklist
A quick April briefing for Zone 9b gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
-
It's harvest week for mache
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
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 9b, the average last spring frost is around January 25 and the first fall frost is around December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 329 days.
Mache Planting Timeline — Zone 9b
Where Is USDA Zone 9b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9b. Click any state to see the Mache planting schedule for that location.
Mache Planting Calendar — Zone 9b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 28 | Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 25 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Direct Sow | January 4 | Jan 4 – Jan 25 |
| Harvest | March 8 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 |
| Fall Sowing | October 25 | Oct 25 – Nov 8 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | Fall Sowing |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 9b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9b 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
329 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 (~329 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
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
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 9b?
In Zone 9b, plan your Mache planting around the average last frost date of January 25. Start seeds indoors around December 28. Direct sow outdoors around January 4. Transplant seedlings around January 25.
Can Mache grow in Zone 9b?
Yes, Mache can grow well in Zone 9b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 9b has a growing season of approximately 329 days, which is sufficient for Mache (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Mache in Zone 9b?
In Zone 9b, expect to harvest Mache from March 8 – April 12. Mache takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9b is around January 25, and the first fall frost is around December 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 329 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.