How to Grow Mâche (Corn Salad)
Mâche (also called Corn Salad, Lamb’s Lettuce, or Feldsalat) is a gourmet cool-season salad green with small, spoon-shaped leaves and a rich, nutty, almost buttery flavor. Extremely cold-hardy and shade-tolerant, it’s perfect for early spring, fall, and even winter harvests under protection. It thrives in beds, raised beds, and containers, and is ideal for cut-and-come-again baby greens.
Quick Growing Facts
| Botanical name | Valerianella locusta (Mâche, Corn Salad, Lamb’s Lettuce) |
| Plant type | Cool-season annual salad green; small rosettes of tender leaves; grown like baby lettuce or salad mix |
| Days to germination | About 7–14 days in cool soil (ideally 50–65°F / 10–18°C); may be slower in cold or warm soil |
| Days to harvest | Baby leaves in 30–40 days; small, full rosettes in about 45–60 days, depending on weather and spacing |
| Height & spread (mature plants) | About 2–6 in (5–15 cm) tall and 3–6 in (8–15 cm) wide; low, compact rosettes of leaves |
| Light requirements | Full sun to partial shade; very tolerant of low light and short days, especially in fall and winter |
| Soil | Loose, well-drained, moderately fertile soil rich in organic matter; pH about 6.0–7.5; prefers soil kept evenly moist |
| Spacing | 3–6 in (8–15 cm) between plants; 6–8 in (15–20 cm) between rows, or broadcast densely for baby-leaf harvests |
| Hardiness | Very cold-hardy cool-season crop; tolerates light freezes and, with protection, can overwinter in many climates |
When & Where to Grow Mâche (Corn Salad)
Mâche is one of the best salad greens for cold weather. It germinates and grows in cool conditions and stays sweet and tender even in chilly, dim days. It is less suited to hot weather, when it can bolt and lose quality.
- Early spring: Sow as soon as soil can be worked and is around 40–50°F (4–10°C). It tolerates light frost.
- Fall: Sow 4–8 weeks before first hard frost for fall harvests and possible winter picking under protection.
- Winter (mild climates / under cover): Grow in unheated greenhouses, cold frames, low tunnels, or polytunnels as a winter salad crop.
- Location: Garden beds, raised beds, and containers (15–20 cm deep). Full sun in cool seasons; partial shade in mild winters or bright spring sun.
Soil Preparation
Mâche has very small seeds and shallow roots, so a fine seedbed and steady moisture are important for good germination and leaf quality.
- Loosen the top 6–8 in (15–20 cm) of soil and remove weeds, roots, and stones.
- Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure and moisture retention, but avoid very heavy feeding.
- Rake the surface into a fine, crumbly seedbed so the tiny seeds make good contact with the soil.
- Ensure good drainage; overly wet, soggy soil can cause rot, especially in winter.
Direct Sowing Mâche Outdoors
Mâche is almost always direct sown because the seedlings are delicate and the seeds are tiny. It’s usually grown in
