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When to Plant Mache in Thomas 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.

Thomas County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 810 feet, Thomas County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Thomas County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Thomas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 578 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Mache needs ~800 GDD — county provides 2,640 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Thomas County, KS

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jul 16

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

165 days

Growing Tips for Thomas 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 Thomas County, KS?

Thomas County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thomas County, KS?

Thomas County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Thomas 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 Thomas County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.