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When to Plant Mache in Converse County, WY

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.

Converse County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 4 and the first fall frost is September 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 106 days.

At an elevation of 6,089 feet, Converse County receives approximately 16.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, 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.

Converse County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
106 days
Last Spring Frost June 4
106 growing days
First Fall Frost September 18

Converse County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 2

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 Converse County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“8.3) overlaps with Mache's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Converse County is excellent for Mache โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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 106-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 26.

Plant 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 401 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” 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 โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.3" 3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Sep in Converse County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 1,139 GDD Excellent fit

Mache Planting Timeline โ€” Converse County, WY

Mache Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Transplant Outdoors June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jun 18
Direct Sow May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Aug 20
Fall Sowing June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

106 days in Converse County

Growing Tips for Mache in Converse County

Direct sow Mache outdoors after June 04 in Converse County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Converse County receives only 16" of rain annually. Mache needs consistent moisture โ€” 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 Converse County, WY?

Converse County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 4. Plan your Mache planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Converse County, WY?

Converse County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 4 and first fall frost is September 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Converse County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Converse County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.