Blog

When to plant Mache in Olean, MO

Olean's spring Mache window runs March 23 through April 13. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 18 to September 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in Olean, MO

Miller County, Missouri Zone 6b August

This month in Miller County, Missouri

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this August, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Get mache in for a late-season harvest

    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.

Olean, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 1,086 feet, Miller County receives approximately 30.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

Olean, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Olean Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7

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 Olean

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Miller 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 (2.4%). 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 204-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.

Mache Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 120 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Miller 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 ~838 GDD — county provides 3,417 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Olean, 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 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

204 days in Miller County

Growing Tips for Mache in Olean

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

Your generous 204.0-day season in Miller 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 Olean, MO?

In Olean, MO, plant Mache after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Olean, MO for Mache?

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

Can Mache grow in Olean's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in Olean's temperate climate. Olean averages a 204-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Miller County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Miller 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.

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 Miller County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.