Dutch Corn Salad (Valerianella locusta), also known as Lamb’s Lettuce or Mâche, is a cool-season leafy green prized for its tender texture and mild, nutty flavor. This non-GMO seed variety thrives in early spring and fall and is exceptionally cold tolerant, making it a favorite among home gardeners and gourmet growers. Dutch Corn Salad performs well in containers, raised beds, or traditional garden rows, producing small rosettes of rich green leaves that are excellent for fresh salads and continuous harvesting.

Features

• Tender, mild, nutty-flavored leaves
• Excellent cold-season crop for fall and early spring
• Non-GMO heirloom seed variety
• Compact rosette growth ideal for containers
• Highly nutritious and mild enough for fresh salads
• Performs well in partial shade or full sun
• Quick-growing leafy green with multiple harvests
• Low-maintenance and easy for beginner gardeners

Specifications

• Common Name: Dutch Corn Salad, Lamb’s Lettuce, Mâche
• Scientific Name: Valerianella locusta
• Plant Type: Annual
• USDA Zones: 3–10
• Season: Cool season—spring and fall
• Height: 3–6 inches
• Leaf Type: Tender, small, oval green leaves
• Flavor: Mild and slightly nutty
• Bloom Color: White (if allowed to bolt)
• Heirloom: Yes
• GMO Status: Non-GMO
• Organic: Not certified organic
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained soil
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Days to Harvest: 40–60 days
• Cold Tolerance: Excellent
• Heat Tolerance: Low
• Plant Spacing: 4–6 inches
• Seed Longevity: 2–3 years stored in a cool, dry place

Planting Guide (Numbered)

• Sowing Method: Direct sow outdoors or start indoors in trays.
• Seed Preparation: No pre-treatment necessary.
• When to Plant:
• Early spring as soon as soil can be worked
• Late summer to fall for cool-season harvest
• Sowing Depth: 1/8 inch.
• Germination Time: 7–14 days depending on soil temperature.
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil Conditions: Moist, well-drained soil works best.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogging.
• Maintenance:
• Harvest young leaves or full rosettes
• Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous greens
• Provide shade in warm climates to prevent bolting