Mâche
Valerianella locusta
T
his tiny plant—only 3 inches high and up if you are setting out a special bed (rather than
to 4 inches wide—is a relative newcomer the useful seed-cover crops put out around
to the produce market, and since it’s so small, it other crops).
only takes a couple of months to reach maturity. Because of their very shallow roots, you’ll
Also known as corn salad, it’s been well need to keep the soil moist and provide partial
known in Europe since Roman times and makes shade when it gets above 80ºF in the summer.
a great green salad all on its own, but most oft en The roots are less than 1 inch, so they are
it’s included in a mesclun (spring ) mix. In addi simply cut off at soil level. Then you can turn
tion, it can be used as a garnish in place of pars- the soil and reseed for a second—or third—
ley (as a whole plant when small). crop, since it grows so rapidly.
Mâche has a remarkable ability as a ground
cover to keep down weeds, so it’s especially
useful to scratch in a few seeds around garlic,
onions, and peppers, and in the midst of a The Numbers
slightly wider spaced strawberry patch. For each 100 g (3.5 oz ; 1 cup): 21 calories, 0 g fat,
The soil needs to be 50ºF–70ºF (no higher) 0 g saturated fat, 4 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 2 g
when seeding. Allow for a 3- to 4-inch spacing dietary fiber, 4 mg sodium
180 • GROWING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE
