When to Plant Mache in Hood River County, OR
Your May planting checklist for Hood River County, Oregon
Your Hood River County, Oregon garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: mache
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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Harvest mache as they ripen
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.
Hood River County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.
At an elevation of 127 feet, Hood River County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°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.
Hood River County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.5
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 Hood River County
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Hood River County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Mache will thrive.
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 20 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.
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 | — | 8.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 7.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 7.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hood River 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 — Hood River County, OR
Mache Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 14 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Direct Sow | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 21 |
| Harvest | May 26 | May 26 – Jun 30 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| 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 7b
📆 Growing Season
188 days in Hood River County
Growing Tips for Mache in Hood River County
Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 14 in Hood River County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 188.0-day season in Hood River 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 Hood River County, OR?
Hood River County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hood River County, OR?
Hood River County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Hood River County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hood River County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.