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When to Plant Mache in Camden County, GA

Camden County, Georgia Zone 9a May

May to-do list for Camden County, Georgia

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Camden County, Georgia this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 14
Avg. first frost December 6
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Collect mache at their peak

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

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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.

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mache root diseases.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6
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Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (221 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Mar 17 – Apr 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (218 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Mar 28 – May 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (211 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 28

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 Camden County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.1) is more acidic than Mache prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Camden 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 moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Mache.

How to Plant Mache

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mache

8
successive plantings in your 295-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Camden 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 needs ~1,325 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Camden County, GA

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Direct Sow January 24 Jan 24 – Feb 14
Harvest March 28 Mar 28 – May 2
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

295 days in Camden County

Growing Tips for Mache in Camden County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after February 14 in Camden County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Camden County dries quickly — mulch Mache with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Camden County, provide afternoon shade for Mache and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 296.0-day season in Camden 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 Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your Camden County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Camden County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.