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When to Plant Mache in Barton County, KS

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.

Barton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Barton County receives approximately 25.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Barton County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Barton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 19

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 750 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mache needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Barton County, KS

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
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 6a

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Barton 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 Barton County, KS?

Barton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barton County, KS?

Barton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Barton County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Barton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.