Field salad

In the past, lamb’s lettuce grew as a weed on fields and vineyards and was harvested as a wild plant. Today it is one of the most popular winter salads with its refreshing, slightly nutty taste. The only vegetable of the valerian family goes by many names: Mâche, common cornsalad, lamb’s lettuce... Its small, dark green leaves are well-adapted to harsh winter conditions with little light and low temperatures.

Lamb’s lettuce is sown in rows. Choose areas with little weed pressure and weed regularly. It is advisable not to sow too densely so that the rosettes can grow larger and the leaves are less susceptible to mildew. For plots that become available late in the year, lamb’s lettuce can also be pre-cultivated. To pre-cultivate, grow 6-8 seeds in a pot and plant them out after 4-6 weeks. When growing under foil or glass, regular ventilation should be ensured to prevent mildew. When it gets too warm in spring, lamb’s lettuce will bolt.