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When to Plant Mache in Hamilton County, TN

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.

Hamilton County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 3,918 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°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.

Hamilton County, TN (Zone 8a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hamilton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mache Planting Timeline — Hamilton County, TN

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 – Apr 4
Harvest May 9 May 9 – Jun 13
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

218 days in Hamilton County

Growing Tips for Hamilton County

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 Hamilton County, TN?

Hamilton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, TN?

Hamilton County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hamilton County (Zone 8a). 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 Hamilton County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.