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When to plant Mache in Fallon County County,

Fallon County County's spring Mache window runs May 13 through June 3. be cautious and check the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops. A second sowing from June 28 to July 12 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Mache in Fallon County, MT

Fallon County, Montana Zone 4b June

Your June planting checklist for Fallon County, Montana

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Fallon County, Montana this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 20
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 45°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Direct-sow mache for cool weather

    Count back from your first frost (September 20) — these need to mature before the cold arrives.

Get ahead of July
  • Starting indoors: mache
  • 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.

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 6,441 feet, Fallon County receives approximately 19.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mache to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mache successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Fallon County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Fallon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 24

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 Fallon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.3) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Mache.

How to Plant Mache

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Mache

3
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 28.

Mache Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 425 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Fallon 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 ~538 GDD — county provides 1,322 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline — Fallon County, MT

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Aug 5
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 12

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 Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Fallon County

Growing Tips for Mache in Fallon County

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

Fallon County receives only 20" 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 Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.

When should I plant Mache in Fallon County County, ?

In Fallon County County, , plant Mache after the last frost (around May 20) and before the first frost (around September 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fallon County County, for Mache?

Fallon County County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Mache grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mache grow in Fallon County County's climate?

Yes — Mache grows well in Fallon County County's temperate climate. Fallon County County averages a 123-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 20 and first frost around September 20.

🌱

Your Fallon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fallon County (Zone 4b). 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 Fallon County, MT. 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.