Lamb's Lettuce Vit [Valerianella locusta]

The annual lamb's lettuce 'Vit' is a healthy and productive winter vegetable with dark green, short-stemmed leaves. The taste is fresh and nutty. Robust, frost-hardy and easy to grow. Rich in vitamins and minerals. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvest the leaves.

 Description 
Lamb's lettuce 'Vit' is an annual, fast-growing winter leaf vegetable. The vegetable originates in Eurasia, where lamb's lettuce still grows wild on the side of the road today. It was used as a food plant in earlier times and collected in the wild. This variety develops compactly with short-stemmed, dark green, round and clearly veined leaves. They are rich in vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene (provitamin A), folic acid and iron, and give every salad a special touch. The healthy herb tastes fresh and nutty and is very popular because of its aroma. The robust plants and frost resistance make it ideal for overwintering in the garden. Suitable for outdoor use, greenhouses, polytunnels and balcony boxes, versatile and easy to grow. Robust against downy mildew. Produces good yields even in unfavorable weather conditions. Tried and tested market gardener variety.

 General information 
Plant family: Valerianaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 60 days
Plant height approx.: 25 cm
Root type: Shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -15°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 7 to 8

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 0.5-1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 5-18 °C
Germination time: 10-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 10x15 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Onion, Kale, Leek, Savoy, Carrot, Garlic
Unfavorable mixed culture: Cabbage, Courgette

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing from January to May or in autumn from September to December. The ideal location for the plants is partial shade.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing in the autumn from July to October. The ideal location for the plants is sunny to partially shaded.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing followed by singling at the specified planting distance is recommended.
Lamb's lettuce 'Vit' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a staggered harvest, several sowings at 4-week intervals are recommended. For a long harvest period, harvest 1/4 of the leaves from the outside to the inside and take care not to damage the heart in order to keep growth stable. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Occasional weeding helps the young plants to grow. Loose, nutrient-rich and moist soil is sufficient. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Valerianella locusta
English names: Lamb's Lettuce
German names: Feldsalat, Pflücksalat, Rapunzelsalat, Vogerlsalat, Nüsslisalat
Portuguese names: Alface-de-cordeiro
Spanish names: Lechuga de canónigo
French names: La laitue d'agneau

 Origin 
Country: Germany