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When to Plant Mache in Loup County, NE

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.

Loup County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,056 feet, Loup County receives approximately 20 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mache to ensure they mature before fall.

Loup County, NE (Zone 5a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
140 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Loup County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Mache Planting Timeline — Loup County, NE

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 – May 26
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Jul 28
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 – Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

140 days in Loup County

Growing Tips for Loup County

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 Loup County, NE?

Loup County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Loup County, NE?

Loup County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 29.

🌱

Your Loup County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Loup 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 Loup County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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