Mesclun - Mixed salad leaves

Mesclun, from the Provençal word 'mesclum', which means mixture, is a salad composed of different varieties, at least five for purists, such as lettuce, rocket, spinach, lamb's lettuce... Highly appreciated for its wide range of flavours, this small salad is usually harvested as a 'young shoot' and can be consumed almost all year round, raw or even cooked.
Busy gardeners will appreciate these seed mixes as much as gourmets, as they allow for a wide range of flavours to be obtained at little cost and in a single sowing. These salads are called 'cut and come again' as they usually have the ability to regrow after harvesting, as long as the plant has not been completely harvested. Growing these mixes is easy and space-efficient, as they can generally be grown in pots, on a balcony ledge, or in small spaces such as square foot gardens.

Harvest: these salad mixes are harvested as needed, either as juvenile or ripe plants. Harvesting is done with a knife and involves picking the leaves located on the periphery of the plant.

Storage: Mesclun can be stored for a few days in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, but if possible, consume it just after picking to enjoy its freshness.

Gardener's tip: Flea beetles, tiny beetles, are fond of Rocket leaves, which are often part of Mesclun. They meticulously puncture the leaves in dry and hot weather. While spraying Tansy infusion can limit the damage, the installation of insect netting from the moment of sowing remains the most effective method of control while avoiding the use of insecticides, which, even if of natural origin, have consequences on the garden's balance.