Mâche (Corn Salad) in Zone 9a & 9b
Valerianella locusta
Yes, mâche (corn salad) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Plant it outside Jan 18–Jan 25.
When to plant mâche (corn salad) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 18–Jan 25 |
| Estimated harvest | Mar 9–Mar 16 (~50 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 in.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of mâche (corn salad) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionJan 25–Feb 1
- RadishJan 18–Jan 25
- CarrotJan 25–Feb 1
- CabbageFeb 1–Feb 8
- LettuceFeb 1–Feb 8
- SpinachJan 18–Jan 25
Mâche, also called corn salad or lamb's lettuce, is a mild, nutty winter salad green with an unusual quirk: it prefers cold over heat, and its seed goes dormant above 70°F rather than simply germinating slowly.
How mâche (corn salad) fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Mâche (corn salad) needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Mâche (Corn Salad) planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | Apr 22–Apr 29 | Jun 11–Jun 18 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 2–May 9 | Jun 21–Jun 28 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 6–Jun 13 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 12–Apr 19 | Jun 1–Jun 8 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 17–May 24 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 13–Mar 20 | May 2–May 9 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 16–Apr 23 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Not usually | Jan 18–Jan 25 | Mar 9–Mar 16 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 2–Jan 9 | Feb 21–Feb 28 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Dec 4–Dec 11 | Jan 23–Jan 30 |
Harvest dates are about 50 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for mâche (corn salad).
Where to buy mâche seeds
High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's mâche seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Vit' mâche: Johnny's Selected Seeds' primary mâche offering, described as mild-tasting and slightly nutty, called the ideal winter salad item; there's little named-cultivar diversity beyond it in the seed trade this plant is sold through. Buy: Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing mâche (corn salad)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Mâche (Corn Salad) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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