The canons are becoming more and more present in our salads. It is a very common ingredient in fourth range salads.

We can also grow them in our garden. In fact, the cultivation of lamb’s lettuce is very easy to maintain and obtain good results, given its rusticity.

Do you dare with the cultivation of lambs?

THE CULTIVATION OF LAMB’S LETTUCE IN THE GARDEN, A GOOD COMPLEMENT TO SALADS

The canon is one of those vegetables that everyone likes. They give a very fresh and alternative touch to salads.

Its vitamin A, B and C content is higher than that of the vegetable that reigns in salads, lettuce. Its fat content is minimal, it has some minerals such as iodine and iron among others, and it is a diuretic.

The flavor it brings to salads is very pleasant so there is no reason why we should not dare to plant them in our garden. Its scientific name is Valerianella locusta.

LAMB’S LETTUCE CULTIVATION GUIDE

CLIMATIC NEEDS

It is a crop that does not withstand high temperatures. It spikes fast. It is similar to lettuce or spinach. For this reason, it should be sown in mid-late summer depending on the climate in which we find ourselves. In hot climates it is better to wait perhaps until September. It is a cold climate crop and it withstands frost well.

LAND REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANONS

You need loose, light, cool, humid soils that are very rich in humus. It is tolerant with the pH of the soil so in this aspect there will be no problems. A small advantage of this crop is that we can sow it directly.

It does not need the care of a seedbed because it does not need very high temperatures to germinate. It can be sown broadcast or in rows.

Being a short plant, our recommendation is to plant it associated with other crops such as carrots, lettuce, leeks, cabbages, broccoli .

These provide gloomy atmosphere and pair very well. Growing lamb’s lettuce in a pot is very easy too.

WHAT IRRIGATION NEEDS DO YOU HAVE

You are right. The soil must always remain moist. Not puddled but humid. It is not tolerant of drought at all. High frequency watering is needed to maintain this level of humidity.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COLLECTING THE LAMB’S LETTUCE

It is an interesting crop to go picking leaves from the garden when we need it or we can wait for its full development and harvest the whole plant.

It does not last long when fresh. It becomes wilted in 2 or 3 days, even in refrigeration so its consumption must be quick once harvested. The most important thing is to harvest it in its vegetative state.

Don’t let it flourish. It changes the flavor quite a bit.

VARIETIES OF LAMB’S LETTUCE

The most common varieties of lamb’s lettuce are:

• Thick seed »
• «Holland glory»,
• “Shell of Louviers”
• «Blonde shell»
• «Cambrai Green»
• «Mint round»
• “Green heart full”
• “Green of Etampes”