When to Plant Mache in Clay County, KY
Your May planting checklist for Clay County, Kentucky
Welcome to May in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Begin indoor sowing: mache
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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Pick mache
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
Clay County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.
At an elevation of 2,567 feet, Clay County receives approximately 54.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mache root diseases.
Clay County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-7
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 Clay County
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–7.0) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Clay County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help 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
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 | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 5.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clay 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 — Clay County, KY
Mache Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | May 30 | May 30 – Jul 4 |
| 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 | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
187 days in Clay County
Growing Tips for Mache in Clay County
Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 18 in Clay County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 187.0-day season in Clay 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 →
Mache in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mache in Clay County, KY?
Clay County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Clay County, KY?
Clay County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 22.
Your Clay County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Clay 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.