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When to Plant Mache in Webster County, KY

Webster County, Kentucky Zone 7a May

What to do in May

Your Webster County, Kentucky garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Start mache under lights

    You're about 25 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Basket week: mache

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: 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.

Webster County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 2,039 feet, Webster County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Webster County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3

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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 208-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 98 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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Webster 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 ~875 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Webster County, KY

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jun 22
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

208 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Mache in Webster County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 06 in Webster County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 208.0-day season in Webster 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 Webster County, KY?

Webster County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, KY?

Webster County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 31.

🌱

Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster 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 Webster County, KY. 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.