Mâche (Valerianella locusta) is a tender salad green that grows best in cool weather. Mâche is an annual plant that grows wild in many areas. One of the common names, “corn salad,” derives from its tendency to grow wild in corn fields. Mild tasting with a slightly nutty flavor, mâche makes a pleasant addition to salads.

Mâche has a delicate flavor, which resembles a nutty, concentrated butterhead lettuce. The leaves provide a nutritious boost of vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Producing attractive and tasty fare at a time when little else is available, mâche is a hardy survivor, requiring little care and remaining free of pests and disease.

Mâche is remarkably hardy. The only gardeners who must forego this winter treat are those living in zones where the mercury dips below 5°F. A cold frame or mulching with straw or coniferous branches can provide significant protection in colder climates.

A handful of seeds from Peter’s garden.