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When to Plant Mache in Henry County, IN

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.

Henry County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,069 feet, Henry County receives approximately 37.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mache to ensure they mature before fall.

Henry County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mache needs ~612 GDD — county provides 2,143 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, IN

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in Henry County, IN?

Henry County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, IN?

Henry County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Henry County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Henry County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.