How to Grow Dutch Corn Salad (Lambs Lettuce)

  1. Dutch Corn Salad prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of at least 15.24cm (six inches), removing any weeds or debris. Incorporate compost or aged manure to enrich the soil.
  2. Sow Dutch Corn Salad seeds directly into the prepared soil in early spring or Autumn. Space the seeds about 10.16cm (four inches) apart and 0.64cm (1/4 inch) deep. Water the seeds gently to avoid disturbing them.
  3. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, especially during germination and early growth. Regular watering keeps the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Provide about 2.54cm (one inch) of water per week.
  4. This variety of Dutch Corn Salad does not require heavy fertilisation, but a light application of a balanced fertiliser can help boost growth. Apply the fertiliser at half-strength once or twice during the growing season.
  5. Harvest 30-45 days from sowing when the leaves are young and tender and roughly 2.0 to 5.08-7.62cm (three inches) long. Cut the leaves at the base of the stem, leaving a few inches of growth intact for regrowth.  Can be harvested continuously by picking outer leaves as needed.

Heritage of Dutch Corn Salad (Lambs Lettuce)

Dutch Corn Salad Lettuce, also known as mâche or lamb's lettuce, is a cool-season salad green that is native to Europe and Asia. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and was a popular winter vegetable in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was traditionally used as a medicinal herb, and was believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Today, Dutch Corn Salad Lettuce is widely grown in many parts of the world, and is prized for its nutty, sweet flavor and tender leaves. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and is often used in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish for various dishes. A customer told me she absolutely loves this lettuce to grow and eat.  Says she can't get enough of it.
Plant Height 10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 inches)
Season of Interest Spring, Autumn
Temperature Range 5 - 15°C (41 - 59°F)
Annual / Perennial / Biennial Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender Hardy
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade Full Sun / Part Shade
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings Sow Direct
Seed Preparation No special preparation required
Sowing Depth 0.5 - 1 cm (0.2 - 0.4 inches)
Plant Spacing 10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 inches)
Row Spacing 15 - 20 cm (6 - 8 inches)
Watering Keep consistently moist, but not waterlogged
Good Companion Plants Radish, Carrots, Chervil
Bad Companion Plants Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower), Lettuce (different varieties of lettuce, including salad greens)
Pests Aphids, Flea beetles, Slugs, Snails, Cutworms
Diseases Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose, Botrytis

LETTUCE-DUTCH CORN SALAD-LAMBS LETTUCE

$3.50

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More About Direct Compost Solutions

When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.

Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn't suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden.