Family Owned Since 1979
Cultivating Gardeners

VIT

VIT

Product Description:

Valerianella locusta 50 days. Only a green with a glowing reputation could earn as many names: Corn Salad, Lamb’s Lettuce and Mâche. We offer Vit for spring or fall planting, and consider it one of the most delicious and substantial salad greens around. Leaves are succulent, firm, and dark green. Approximately 650 seeds per gram.
  • Key Features:

SEED

$3.75

$3.75

  • Key Features:

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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T
Tom M.
Underappreciated wonder greens

My German mother-in-law introduced me to this Bavarian staple. It grows wild in the post-harvest wheat fields over there, and people have treasured it for centuries. It is well-established in my garden now for many years. Needs no care, self seeds and comes up on its own like a weed. It is a bit labor intensive to harvest and clean, but well worth it. I pull out the whole plant, try not to get too much dirt, then soak a while in water, nip off the roots with fingers, and rinse. Awesome with a light vinaigrette.

M
M W.
Wonderful winter and spring green

I bought this seed from Territorial years ago and it has reliably over-wintered and self-seeded. I make sure to leave two or three plants and shake them around when I clean up the garden in the fall. For a long time, we didn't eat much of it because it was tedious to harvest leaf by leaf. But this year I pulled the plant up slightly and cut it with scissors just above the root. Then I could wash the whole rosette and cut or pull off the individual leaves. It's a great alternative to the sad greens available in grocery stores during the winter.

A
Arrowleaf
I Highly Recommend

I'm so happy to be able to get these seeds through Territorial (always great germination rates with Territorial). Mâche leaves make a fantastic salad in early spring. The taste is mild and almost nutty, and reminds me of rose petals, but tastes much better than eating rose petals. They are soft and thick.
I've had the best luck sowing them on top of the soil before winter is over, so the seeds are exposed to freezing temperatures. Then they come up in the early spring. The plants are very small. Usually I pinch off the roots and make a salad of several heads together. I can't believe the directions here say to start indoors, and transplant. For such a small plant? Not worth it!
Trader Joe's used to sell bags of mâche, and the bag said "Good with avocado" which is true.
Also, I've grown several varieties, and Vit is a very good variety of Mâche.

We list our recommendations for both direct sowing and transplanting - as we do for most of our varieties - you certainly don't have to start indoors, but if a person wanted to we list our recommendations for it. Thanks for your review!

Soil Temp for Germ 50–70°F
Seed Depth ¼–½"
Seed Spacing 1–2"
Days to Emergence 2–15
Thin Plants to 6–12"
Row Spacing 16–18"
Fertilizer Needs Low
Seeds per Gram Listed per variety

Savor the flavors that fill the kitchens of Europe. Fast and easy to grow, greens are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Enjoy them in soups, lightly steamed, or raw for a low calorie and highly nutritious part of your diet.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding.

Culture
• Gourmet greens perform best when planted in early spring or fall
• Most will tolerate light to moderate frosts with minimal cover• Plants are most vigorous and the flavors are better when daytime air temperatures are between 60-70°F
• Most greens are best direct sown
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost
• Cover seeds with Reemay or Grow Guard 20 to help deter birds and improve germination
• Sow greens every couple of weeks to ensure a continuous supply of young plants

Direct Sowing
• Use row cover to improve germination and prevent soil crusting
• Thin as soon as 2-3 true leaves have formed

Transplanting
• Start indoors 4-6 weeks before anticipated transplant date

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Aphids and flea beetles
• Insect control: Strong spray of water, or applications of Pyrethrin or Neem oil
• Disease prevention: 3-4 year crop rotation, and proper plant spacing allows air circulation to prevent molds

Harvest & Storage
• Harvest greens frequently and when young
• As with all greens, a rinse in cold water will help preserve the flavor and texture

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