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When to plant Mache in Morton County, KS

In Zone 6b (Morton County), direct-sow Mache between April 6 and April 27 for spring, after the April 20 last-frost mark. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in Morton County, KS

Morton County, Kansas Zone 6b July

July to-do list for Morton County, Kansas

Each item below is timed to Morton County, Kansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 20
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for mache

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Looking ahead to August
  • Fall sowing: mache

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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.

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,054 feet, Morton County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Morton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Morton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 19

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 Morton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.4) is within Mache's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Morton County is excellent for Mache — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Mache.

How to Plant Mache

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mache

5
successive plantings in your 180-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Mache Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 859 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Morton 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 needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,285 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Morton County, KS

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 27
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 – Jul 6
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Morton County

Growing Tips for Mache in Morton County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 20 in Morton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 180.0-day season in Morton County allows multiple plantings of Mache. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Morton County receives only 24" 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in Morton County, KS?

Morton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morton County, KS?

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Mache in Morton County, KS?

In Morton County, KS, plant Mache after the last frost (around April 20) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Morton County, KS for Mache?

Morton County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Mache grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mache grow in Morton County's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in Morton County's temperate climate. Morton County averages a 180-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 20 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Morton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morton County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Morton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.