Corn Salad Dutch is a tender, cool-season green that produces smooth, glossy leaves with a delicate, minty flavor. Perfect for salads, it thrives in cooler weather, providing fresh harvests in early spring, late fall, or even winter under greenhouse conditions. Packed with nutrients like iron, this versatile green is a delicious and healthy addition to any garden.
Corn Salad Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow corn salad seeds outdoors in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall crop. Corn salad thrives in cool weather and tolerates light frost.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot or partial shade in hotter climates. Corn salad grows best in fertile, well-draining soil.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and incorporate compost to improve fertility. Corn salad prefers soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and space them 4-6 inches apart in rows or clusters.
- Thin seedlings to maintain proper spacing once they are a few inches tall.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days. Consistent moisture ensures tender leaves.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start corn salad seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date for an early start.
- Containers: Use seed trays or small pots with good drainage, filled with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, scattering them thinly over the soil surface.
- Cover lightly with soil and mist gently to keep the soil evenly moist.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 7-14 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors when soil temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit and plants have at least 2-3 sets of true leaves. Space plants 4-6 inches apart.
General Care Tips for Corn Salad
- Sunlight: Provide full sun for best growth, though corn salad tolerates partial shade, especially in warmer climates.
- Watering: Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Corn salad benefits from regular watering to maintain tender leaves.
- Fertilizing: Enrich the soil with compost before planting. Corn salad is a light feeder and typically does not require additional fertilization during its short growing season.
- Pruning: Regularly harvest leaves to encourage new growth and prevent bolting.
- Pest and Disease Control: Corn salad is generally pest- and disease-resistant. Proper spacing helps prevent fungal issues in humid conditions.
- Harvesting:
- For Leaves: Begin harvesting leaves when the plant is 4-6 inches tall. Snip outer leaves as needed, or cut the entire plant at the base for a single harvest.
- For Continuous Harvest: Regularly snip leaves to encourage regrowth and delay bolting.
- Storage: Store fresh corn salad leaves in a plastic bag or damp paper towel in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wash leaves just before use.
