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When to Plant Mache in Essex County, VT

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.

Essex County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 27 feet, Essex County receives approximately 39.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mache to ensure they mature before fall.

Essex County, VT (Zone 3b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Essex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mache needs ~462 GDD — county provides 1,248 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Essex County, VT

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Essex 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 Essex County, VT?

Essex County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Essex County, VT?

Essex County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Essex County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Essex County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.