Blog

When to Plant Mache in Bristol County, RI

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.

Bristol County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 335 feet, Bristol County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Bristol County, RI (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Bristol County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mache needs ~762 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Bristol County, RI

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 12

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 6b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Bristol 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 Bristol County, RI?

Bristol County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bristol County, RI?

Bristol County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bristol County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bristol County, RI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.