When to Plant Mache in Fairfax County, VA
May in the garden — Fairfax County, Virginia
Each item below is timed to Fairfax County, Virginia's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Begin indoor sowing: mache
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
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Pick mache
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- 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.
Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.
At an elevation of 548 feet, Fairfax County receives approximately 53 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.
Fairfax County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.5
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 Fairfax County
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Mache prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Fairfax County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 04 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 25.
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 | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Fairfax 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 — Fairfax County, VA
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 25 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
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 | Fall Sowing |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
211 days in Fairfax County
Growing Tips for Mache in Fairfax County
Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 06 in Fairfax County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 211.0-day season in Fairfax 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 Fairfax County, VA?
Fairfax County is in Zone 7b 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 Fairfax County, VA?
Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 3.
Your Fairfax County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Fairfax 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.