Lamb's lettuce organic

Organic lamb's lettuce ( Valerianella locusta ) from the Gaia seed company, a mild and cold-resistant salad

Organic lamb's lettuce ( Valerianella locusta ), also called lamb's lettuce , is a tender and tasty salad, highly prized for its slightly sweet taste and melting texture . Originally from Europe, it has been cultivated for centuries for its thick, rounded leaves , rich in vitamins and minerals .

Particularly resistant to cold , lamb's lettuce is easy to grow in autumn and winter , offering generous harvests even in negative temperatures . It is ideal for extending the green vegetable season and can be enjoyed raw in salads or lightly cooked like spinach .

Did you know?

Lamb's lettuce was once a wild plant , harvested in fields between crops. It was not until the 18th century that it began to be cultivated in vegetable gardens, particularly in France where it is still a key ingredient in winter salads .

In addition to its delicate taste , it is an excellent source of vitamin C, iron and omega-3 , which makes it a valuable ally for health during the winter period .

Spread: Compact and dense foliage
Plant height: 10 to 15 cm
Quantity per pack: ± 500 seeds
Companion plants: Cabbage, carrot, turnip, leek, violet
Enemy plants: Onion

Cultivation method

Lamb's lettuce prefers a cool climate and moist soil . Sow directly in the open ground in early spring as soon as the ground is workable, or in late summer for a fall and winter harvest . It tolerates frost well and can even be harvested under the snow.

Sow 1/4" deep , spacing seeds 1-2 inches apart and rows 1-5 inches apart . Thin plants if necessary to ensure good aeration. To prolong harvest , sow successively every two weeks .

Lamb's lettuce does not like excessive heat , which can cause it to go to seed quickly. In summer, sow in partial shade to avoid rapid development.

Harvesting and conservation

Cutting harvest : Form a small bunch of leaves and cut it 2 cm from the ground with a sharp knife. The plant will grow back for a new harvest.
Whole harvest : Pull out the entire rosette when the plant is well developed.

Storage : Lamb's lettuce is fragile after harvest . Store it in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator and consume it within 3 days to preserve its freshness.

Why grow organic lamb's lettuce?

One of the few winter salads, resistant to cold down to -15°C
Sweet and tasty leaves, rich in vitamins and omega-3
Easy to grow and harvest multiple times
Perfect for extending the green season in the vegetable garden

With its refined taste and its robustness in the face of low temperatures , organic lamb's lettuce is a must-have for any gardener wishing to enjoy green vegetables in the middle of winter !