Want to know how to grow Mache? It doesn’t matter if you call it lamb’s lettuce or if you prefer to refer to it as corn salad – Mache thrives pretty well in areas where the weather is mostly mild and cool.
Although one can plant this at any time, you need to remember that unless the soil temperature ranges between 41 degrees Fahrenheit to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, you can’t expect it to grow as it should. When the soil temperature exceeds the maximum degrees 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the seed will go dormant.
4 Things Mache Plants Need Before Planting
Four factors significantly contribute to the growth of your plants:
Cool air
You can’t expect Mache to grow in areas where the weather conditions aren’t cool or mild. Unless the temperature ranges between 55˚F and 68˚F, the seed won’t grow and put outshoots. For this reason, it’s best to plant Mache seeds during springtime or in the autumn.
Light Shade
UK gardeners can plant in a partially shaded spot that doesn’t get afternoon sun. Long and direct exposure to sunlight can cause your Mache seeds to go dormant.
Moist Soil
Keep the soil moist until the Mache seeds germinate within 14 to 28 days. Water your plants regularly after that. Please make sure they’re moist at all times but not soggy. And add a layer of mulch around your Mache plants.
Snail Protection
Did you know that snails, as well as slugs, wouldn’t say no to a feast of Mache leaves? One of the best ways to keep these creatures at bay is to use bait. Additionally, consider using copper hands to encircle raised beds where you can grow your Mache in.
If you live in a region where the temperature is warm mainly, you have the option to use gravel mulch. All you have to do is spread it over the bed before you sow the Mache seeds over it. Some of them may fall right through the cracks; that’s why you shouldn’t be surprised if you see plants popping up through the stones over time.
How to Grow Mache Plants
Here are four steps on how you can successfully grow Mache plants in your backyard or greenhouse:
Sowing
Mache should be grown in cool areas as the seeds germinate best in temperatures between 41 degrees Fahrenheit to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures may deter germination. In approximately ¼ – ½ inches deep, sow the seeds carefully. Germination should occur in about one to two weeks after sowing.
Spacing
Space seeds one foot apart if direct seeding and about three to six feet between growing plants. Mache will grow fine in almost any soil type, but the growing medium should be rich in compost and other organic materials for the best results.
Maintaining
Plants will complete their growth in 40 to 70 days, depending on growing conditions. When your corn salad plants mature, they’ll form into a rosette of dark green leaves. Prune the plants as they grow so that they focus their energy on producing more leaves.
Water and fertiliser
Water your Mache plants moderately and fertilise with an all-purpose blend if needed. You can grow Mache plants under full sun or partially shaded areas. However, keep in mind that corn salads thrive best under cold weather, so they are sensitive to hotter temperatures.
How to Harvest Mache Plants
You can harvest your corn salad after three months after sowing your Mache seeds. The leaf rosettes should be well-formed by then. Here’s how you can harvest your corn salad plants:
Tip #1: Do NOT pull the roots of the plants.
Pulling the roots of the plants is one of the most common mistakes new UK gardeners usually make. You only need to snip the leaves off the stem. Your plants will continue to grow if you leave the roots in.
Tip #2: Harvest at the right time
Harvest everything before the corn salad goes back to seed.
Tip #3: Watch for dark green leaves that feel like velvet
You’ll know when your Mache plants are ready for harvest because the leaves will feel velvety and have a dark green colour.
Facts About Mache Plants
One can plant Mache in cool weather or winter, and however, if freezing rain, windy or heavy winds occur, it’s best to use a greenhouse.
If you’re looking for a rich source of beta-carotene, you can’t go wrong with Mache. If you’re not aware, beta-carotene happens to be an antioxidant that can be converted to vitamin A once consumed. For this reason, incorporating Mache into your regular diet is an excellent idea if you want your immune system and your body’s ability to metabolise iron to run on all cylinders.
Mache or Valerianella locusta falls under the Valerianella family called Caprifoliaceae. Corn salad vegetables are native to the cold temperature zones in Europe. Still, over the past years, one can now cultivate Mache plants worldwide for domestic and commercial purposes.
The Benefits of Growing Mache Plants in a Greenhouse
There are several reasons why you should try growing your Mache plants in a mini greenhouse.
For one, mini-greenhouses can protect your corn salad plants from pests and diseases. Mache plants are prone to Alternaria leaf spot, bacterial leaf spot, damping off, clubroot, and downy mildew. They’re also prone to certain pests, such as aphids, slugs, snails, leafminers, flea beetles, and cabbage loopers. Keeping your plants inside a mini polytunnel lowers the risk of pest infestation and disease infections from neighbouring plants.
A mini polytunnel also protects your plants from extreme weather conditions. The enclosed space can shield your plants from frost, ice, heavy rains, and overall bad weather.
Final Thoughts on How to Grow Mache Plants
Corn salad contains a lot of water and omega 3, making them a great addition to salads and meals. Learning how to grow Mache plants is easy since they don’t require much attention throughout their growing season, except for regular watering that almost all plants need.