Blog

When to plant Mache in Mill Spring, MO

The best window to plant Mache in Mill Spring, is March 23–April 13, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 6; first frost November 1. A second sowing from August 23 to September 6 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in Mill Spring, MO

Wayne County, Missouri Zone 7a August

August in the garden — Wayne County, Missouri

Your garden in Wayne County, Missouri is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Direct-sow mache for cool weather

    Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Mill Spring, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,103 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Mill Spring, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Mill Spring Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8

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 Mill Spring

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Wayne 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 (3.0%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Mache Water Budget

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

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Wayne 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 3,030 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Mill Spring, MO

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jun 22
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

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 Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Mache in Mill Spring

Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 06 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 209.0-day season in Wayne County allows multiple plantings of Mache. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

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 →

When should I plant Mache in Mill Spring, MO?

In Mill Spring, MO, plant Mache after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around November 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mill Spring, MO for Mache?

Mill Spring sits in USDA Zone 7a. Mache grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mache grow in Mill Spring's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in Mill Spring's temperate climate. Mill Spring averages a 209-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around November 1.

🌱

Your Wayne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wayne County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wayne County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.