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When to plant Mache in Missaukee County, MI

For Mache in Missaukee County, the safe spring window opens around May 5 and closes around May 26. Last expected frost is May 19, first fall frost September 30, giving a 134-day growing season. A second sowing from July 22 to August 5 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in Missaukee County, MI

Missaukee County, Michigan Zone 5a July

July to-do list for Missaukee County, Michigan

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Missaukee County, Michigan.

Avg. last frost May 19
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Start harvesting mache

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

  2. Start your fall crops: mache

    A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.

August prep starts now
  • First harvests: 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.

Missaukee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Missaukee County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Missaukee County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Missaukee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 28 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18

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 Missaukee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.0) is within Mache's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Mache will thrive.

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

3
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 22.

Mache Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Missaukee 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 ~725 GDD — county provides 1,943 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Missaukee County, MI

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Aug 4
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 – Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Missaukee County

Growing Tips for Mache in Missaukee County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after May 19 in Missaukee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Missaukee County, MI?

Missaukee County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Missaukee County, MI?

Missaukee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 30.

When should I plant Mache in Missaukee County, MI?

In Missaukee County, MI, plant Mache after the last frost (around May 19) and before the first frost (around September 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Missaukee County, MI for Mache?

Missaukee County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Mache grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mache grow in Missaukee County's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in Missaukee County's temperate climate. Missaukee County averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 19 and first frost around September 30.

🌱

Your Missaukee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Missaukee 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.

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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 Missaukee County, MI. 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.