When to Plant Mache in Greenlee County, AZ
Greenlee County, Arizona gardeners: here's your April plan
Here's what deserves your attention in Greenlee County, Arizona this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Time to transplant mache
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
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Direct-sow mache
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
Coming up in May — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: 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.
Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.
At an elevation of 4,156 feet, Greenlee County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Mache may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Mache will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mache successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Greenlee County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.1-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Greenlee County
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.1–8.3) is more alkaline than Mache prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Greenlee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Mache will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Mache.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Mache.
How to Plant Mache
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Mache
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 0.5" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 0.4" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.5" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Greenlee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.
Mache Planting Timeline — Greenlee County, AZ
Mache Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 22 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Direct Sow | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 29 |
| Harvest | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jul 8 |
| Fall Sowing | August 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
183 days in Greenlee County
Growing Tips for Mache in Greenlee County
Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 22 in Greenlee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Greenlee County dries quickly — mulch Mache with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Your generous 183.0-day season in Greenlee County allows multiple plantings of Mache. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.
Greenlee County receives only 14" of rain annually. Mache needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 →
Mache in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mache in Greenlee County, AZ?
Greenlee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Greenlee County, AZ?
Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 22.
Your Greenlee County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Greenlee County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.