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When to plant Mache in Weippe, ID

Spring Mache in Weippe goes in May 3–May 24, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from July 20 to August 3 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in Weippe, ID

Clearwater County, Idaho Zone 7a June

June in the garden — Clearwater County, Idaho

Here's what deserves your attention in Clearwater County, Idaho this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 44°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Get mache seeds going inside

    These need a head start before your last frost (May 17). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Collect mache at their peak

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: mache
  • Fall sowing: mache

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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.

Weippe, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 7,800 feet, Clearwater County receives approximately 19 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mache successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Weippe, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Weippe Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 26

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 Weippe

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Clearwater County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Mache.

How to Plant Mache

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mache

3
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 20.

Mache Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 579 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Clearwater 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 ~762 GDD — county provides 2,043 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Weippe, ID

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Aug 2
Fall Sowing July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Clearwater County

Growing Tips for Mache in Weippe

Direct sow Mache outdoors after May 17 in Clearwater County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Clearwater County receives only 19" 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 →

When should I plant Mache in Weippe, ID?

In Weippe, ID, plant Mache after the last frost (around May 17) and before the first frost (around September 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weippe, ID for Mache?

Weippe sits in USDA Zone 7a. Mache grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mache grow in Weippe's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in Weippe's temperate climate. Weippe averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 17 and first frost around September 28.

🌱

Your Clearwater County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clearwater 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.

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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 Clearwater County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.