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When to plant Mache in St. Louis County County,

Plant Mache in St. Louis County County after April 13; the prime window is March 30–April 20. A second sowing from August 15 to August 29 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in St. Louis County, MO

St. Louis County, Missouri Zone 7a June

What to do in June

Welcome to June in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for mache

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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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.

St. Louis County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 895 feet, St. Louis County receives approximately 40.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mache during the growing season.

St. Louis County, MO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

St. Louis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12

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 St. Louis County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.6) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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

5
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Mache Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 228 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in St. Louis 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 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — St. Louis County, MO

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jun 29
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in St. Louis County

Growing Tips for Mache in St. Louis County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after April 13 in St. Louis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 194.0-day season in St. Louis 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mache in St. Louis County, MO?

St. Louis County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Louis County, MO?

St. Louis County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Mache in St. Louis County County, ?

In St. Louis County County, , plant Mache after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is St. Louis County County, for Mache?

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

Can Mache grow in St. Louis County County's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in St. Louis County County's temperate climate. St. Louis County County averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your St. Louis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Louis 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.

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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 St. Louis County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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