When to Plant Mache in Rio Blanco County, CO
Your May planting checklist for Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Each item below is timed to Rio Blanco County, Colorado's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Plant mache from seed, right in the garden
Your soil is 37°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Rio Blanco County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 2 and the first fall frost is September 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 107 days.
At an elevation of 6,974 feet, Rio Blanco County receives approximately 19 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mache successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Rio Blanco County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.7
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 Rio Blanco County
How your county's soil matches Mache's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.7) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Rio Blanco County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 09.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Rio Blanco 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 — Rio Blanco County, CO
Mache Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 2 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Direct Sow | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 9 |
| Harvest | July 14 | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Fall Sowing | July 9 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| 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 · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
107 days in Rio Blanco County
Growing Tips for Mache in Rio Blanco County
Direct sow Mache outdoors after June 02 in Rio Blanco County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Rio Blanco County receives only 19" 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 Rio Blanco County, CO?
Rio Blanco County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 2. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Rio Blanco County, CO?
Rio Blanco County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 2 and first fall frost is September 17.
Your Rio Blanco County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Rio Blanco County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.