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When to Plant Mache in Richland 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.

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,098 feet, Richland County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Richland County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mache needs ~688 GDD — county provides 2,103 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, WI

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 21

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 Direct Sow
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

153 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, WI?

Richland County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, WI?

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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