Blog

When to Plant Mache in USDA Zone 6a

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.

In Zone 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

Zone 6a Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Mache Planting Timeline — Zone 6a

Where Is USDA Zone 6a?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Mache planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Mache Planting Calendar — Zone 6a

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jun 26
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

Get My Free Calendar →

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

40–60 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Zone Temperature Range

-10°F to -5°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

193 days (Zone 6a average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth0.5 inches
Plant Spacing6 inches apart
Row Spacing12 inches between rows

Succession Planting Mache in Zone 6a

5
successive plantings in Zone 6a's ~193-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.

Growing Tips for Mache in Zone 6a

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

Saving Mache Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️
Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, plan your Mache planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 6. Direct sow outdoors around March 27. Transplant seedlings around April 10.

Can Mache grow in Zone 6a?

Yes, Mache can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Mache (40-60 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Mache in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Mache from May 22 – June 26. Mache takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Mache?

Good companion plants for Mache include Lettuce, Spinach, Radish. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 6a, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.