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When to Plant Mache in Gaines County, TX

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.

Gaines County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 3,384 feet, Gaines County receives approximately 43.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Mache may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Mache will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Gaines County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
214 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Gaines County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Timeline — Gaines County, TX

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 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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

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

214 days in Gaines County

Growing Tips for Gaines 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 Gaines County, TX?

Gaines County is in Zone 8a 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 Gaines County, TX?

Gaines County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Gaines County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gaines 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 Gaines County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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