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When to Plant Mache in Windsor 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.

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 309 feet, Windsor County receives approximately 48.8 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.

Windsor County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windsor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mache needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,813 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Windsor County, VT

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 28

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

148 days

Growing Tips for Windsor 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 Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Windsor County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Windsor County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.