When to Plant Mache in Bienville Parish, LA
May in Bienville Parish, Louisiana — your action list
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
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Harvest mache as they ripen
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Bienville Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.
At an elevation of 438 feet, Bienville Parish receives approximately 56 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°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.
Bienville Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
5.9-6.9
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 Bienville Parish
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–6.9) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Bienville Parish is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Mache.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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 Sep 13 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.
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 | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 6.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Bienville Parish). 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 — Bienville Parish, LA
Mache Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 9 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Direct Sow | March 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 23 |
| Harvest | April 27 | Apr 27 – Jun 1 |
| Fall Sowing | September 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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 8b
📆 Growing Season
241 days in Bienville Parish
Growing Tips for Mache in Bienville Parish
Direct sow Mache outdoors after March 16 in Bienville Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 241.0-day season in Bienville Parish 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 Bienville Parish, LA?
Bienville Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bienville Parish, LA?
Bienville Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 12.
Your Bienville Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bienville Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.