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When to Plant Mache in Marinette County, WI

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.

Marinette County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 782 feet, Marinette County receives approximately 31.5 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.

Marinette County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Marinette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15

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.

Soil Compatibility in Marinette County

How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“7.3) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Marinette County is excellent for Mache โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Mache will thrive.

How to Plant Mache

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mache

4
successive plantings in your 136-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 09.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 33 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Mache

Mache needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mache Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Marinette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mache Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Mache needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,666 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Marinette County, WI

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
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 3
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

136 days in Marinette County

Growing Tips for Mache in Marinette County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after May 18 in Marinette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in Marinette County, WI?

Marinette County is in Zone 4b 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 Marinette County, WI?

Marinette County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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