When to Plant Mache in Mineral County, CO
May to-do list for Mineral County, Colorado
Your garden in Mineral County, Colorado is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Outdoor sowing time: mache
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Get ahead of June
- Transplants going out: mache
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.
Mineral County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 95 days.
At an elevation of 7,809 feet, Mineral County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mache to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mache successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Mineral County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Mineral County
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.0) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Mineral County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Mache.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Mache.
How to Plant Mache
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Mache
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Mineral County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 Planting Timeline — Mineral County, CO
Mache Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 10 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Harvest | July 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Fall Sowing | July 5 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
95 days in Mineral County
Growing Tips for Mache in Mineral County
Direct sow Mache outdoors after June 10 in Mineral County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Mineral County receives only 13" of rain annually. Mache needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 →
Mache in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mache in Mineral County, CO?
Mineral County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mineral County, CO?
Mineral County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 13.
Your Mineral County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mineral County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.