In prior postings, I've described a number of vegetables that can be grown and harvested during the winter months. These included greens like chicory, arugula, and kale.
While I like these veggies, they are strongly flavored and rather spicy or bitter. In truth, they're not going to be everyone's cup of tea.
So I want to introduce you to a winter vegetable you can grow all winter long that is mild and sweet. It's called Mache (pronounced like "mosh") but it goes by other names including Vit, Corn Salad, and Lamb's Lettuce. (not to be confused with lamb's quarters which are a totally different green)
Although not currently well known in the U.S., Mache is popular in France, where it has been a staple of winter gardeners for generations.
Mache is a low growing, leafy-green veggie with a very mild, almost sweet flavor. I'm hard pressed to think of a similar tasting vegetable, so I'm just going to say, I think you'll like it if you like things like Bibb lettuce.
I plant Mache in raised beds in the fall and then harvest it periodically during the winter. It can be grown in hardiness zones 5 and higher. Here in Northern California (zone 9) I don't bother to use a cold frame or tunnel, but in colder climates you will need to provide some extra protection.
I recommend that you plant in the fall to give your Mache a head start, but it will continue to grow all winter long. As you might expect, it's not well suited to grow during the summer and will bolt.
You can eat Mache by itself or with other greens of your choosing.
Seeds can be purchased from Baker Creek, Territorial Seed, Johnny's and other seed companies.
Mache - not the bitter end, but the end of bitter.
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