Starting a vegetable garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Growing native crops is even more enjoyable when the plants don’t just die at the end of the season, but come back bigger and stronger the following year.
Most of us usually only grow annual vegetables, such as tomatoes and potatoes, which die at the end of the season and must be replanted the following year. However, perennial vegetables come back year after year, often yielding a larger crop each time. Perennial crops are the ultimate vegetables that are easy to grow because you only have to plant them once and once they’re established, they practically take care of themselves.
Lots of them cut-and-come-again crops they are also unusual vegetables that you won’t find in the grocery store. This means you can expand both your palate and your gardening skills at the same time. Let’s take a look at some of the tastiest perennial vegetables you can grow in your garden.
What are perennial vegetables?
Like everything perennial plantsperennial vegetables are those that live for more than two years. The word “perennial” distinguishes them from the short-lived yearly and two years. There are fewer true perennial vegetables than annuals, but there are still plenty to choose from.
Perennial crops extend the growing season by providing food both earlier and later in the year. Since they return every season, they give you more bang for your buck than annuals. They also often require less care than annuals.
Planting perennial vegetables in the garden is a smart way to expand your growing potential without having to invest in new crops every year. If you only have a small space to work with, then growing perennial vegetables in pots is also a possibility.
The best perennial vegetables to try
There are some easily known vegetable perennials, but there are a number of fascinating lesser-known perennials that also make a great addition to the garden landscape.
Each perennial has a unique habit and planting requirement. But as a general rule, once the plant is installed, it is fairly maintenance free. Below is a collection of the best perennial vegetables to grow in your garden.
1. Rhubarb
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Rhubarb it is notable for its colorful red stems with huge leaves that thrive in cool spring weather. Plant rhubarb in full sun and side dress with well-rotted manure for summer and fall fertilization.
Plant the crown in early spring, with the central bud 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil and the crowns 6 feet (2 m) apart. Do not harvest the first year of growth. The plant will then thrive for six to eight years, when the the plant must be divided in spring or autumn.
You can buy bareroot rhubarb plants from Tractor Supply.
2. Asparagus
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like rhubarb, asparagus it should not be harvested during its first year of growth. It’s another perennial that thrives in the cooler temperatures of spring. Mature plants can bear fruit for 10 to 15 years.
Amend the soil before planting with a 2-inch (5 cm) thick layer of compost in a 6-inch (15 cm) deep trench. Plant crowns in spring, 6 to 8 inches (15-20.5 cm) deep and 14 inches (35.5 cm) apart. Cover the crowns loosely with 3 inches (7.5 cm) of compost-rich soil. Finish filling the trench in the fall.
Start an entire asparagus patch with 25 bare plants from Burpee rootstock.
3. Artichokes
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Another popular perennial vegetable is the globe artichoke. Not only are they delicious but the plant is quite spectacular. Artichokes it is a member of the thistle family, which is obvious if you ever leave the edible flower bud on the plant. they open into fuzzy vivid purple thistle-like flowers.
Plant artichokes in sunny conditions in moist, well-drained soil which is amended with 2 inches (5 cm) of compost. This perennial plant can be grown from either root divisions or seeds. Plant 24 to 36 inches (61-91.5 cm) apart in rows 36 inches (91.5 cm) apart.
Amend the soil around the plants in spring with 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of compost. Cut the artichoke back in the fall and cover it with a 6-inch (15 cm) layer of straw.
Buy artichoke seeds from Amazon to start growing these perennials on the cheap.
4. Sunchokes
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Sunchokes, or Jerusalem artichokesis not the same as the above. Cultivated for its small, sweet tubers, the plant is actually related to litmusand like the sunflower, it is notable for its height of 6 to 12 feet (2-4 m). They will spread wildly and will need to be contained and thinned frequently.
Hill the plants like potatoes to increase production and harvest after the first frost. Plant the tubers directly into the ground in spring.
You can find sunchoke tubers for sale online from Walmart.
5. Welsh onions
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Welsh onions they are most often grown as annuals, but can also be grown as perennials. They produce mild, onion-flavored greens that can be harvested year-round.
The plants are very easy to grow, requiring only occasional watering and a sunny location – although they tolerate partial shade. Start Welsh onions from seed and they will grow into a clump that can be divided in the spring.
You can find this unique perennial vegetable as seeds on Etsy.
6. French Sorrel
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French sorrel is a lemony, acidic green that is easily grown from seed and can be eaten either fresh or cooked. French sorrel, which is also known as Good King Henry, is a native of Europe that can be planted in either sun or partial shade.
The young shoots can be cut in the spring and cooked like asparagus while the leaves can be harvested and cooked like greens until the end of summer. The plant is resistant to cold and low maintenance.
You can find Good King Henry seeds online from Amazon.
7. Cabbage stick
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Cabbage “stick”. or cabbage – also known as Jersey cabbage – is one of the most unusual vegetables you can grow
This plant can grow very large – shoots up to 10 feet (3 meters) in a season – and resembles a slender palm. Its leaves can be picked from early to mid-autumn and will last you all season. They must be cooked before eating.
Cane cabbage is a short-lived perennial in USDA zones 7 or above, lasting two or three years. In colder regions, it is grown as an annual. Plants prefer well-fertilized soil and need weekly watering.
Get ready-to-plant cabbage sticks from Etsy.
8. Bamboo Shoots
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The bamboo shoots they are edible in most varieties and provide a nice crunch to stir-fries. Running Bamboo is an invasive plant, but it can be confined to a large metal planter and kept to a manageable size by harvesting it regularly for its crisp shoots. Alternatively, go for mass bamboo, which has a short root structure and is slow to spread.
Bamboo shoots must be peeled before being used in cooking, as the end has a thick exterior that is difficult to chew.
You can start edible bamboo shoots from seed, like these from Etsy.
9. Nettles
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Nettles are actually common weeds (eg dandelions) that have a high content of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium and others. The young shoots have a mild flavor and can be used cooked in any recipe that calls for greens.
They are surprisingly tasty in soups and make a beneficial tea. However, nettles are also good plants to deter deer, so they can be included in the garden for a dual purpose. Wear gloves when harvesting them to avoid getting stung. The sting disappears when the leaves are cooked.
Start nettles from seed available on Amazon.
10. Skirt
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A cousin of the carrot, is mentioned is a low-maintenance crop grown for its roots, which have a wonderful, sweet flavor. It is cold hardy, pest resistant and thrives in moist, shady areas. Its beautiful flowers attract pollinators.
Skirt can be grown from seed or divided from existing clumps. Once the roots are harvested, they can be eaten like a carrot and are usually boiled, stewed or roasted to bring out their sweetness.
Skirret is a hard to find vegetable, but you can get this plant on Etsy from New Bear Nursery.
11. Ramps
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Ramps they are delicious members of the onion family that taste like a combination onion and garlic. Often found growing wild in the forest, they are easy to grow and the bulbs can be split each year in the spring to be eaten or replanted.
Ramps grow naturally in shady areas with rich, moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown from seed or through transplants. Add organic matter to the hole before planting and keep the plants moist.
You can get this foodie favorite as bare root bulbs from Etsy.
12. Water celery
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Celery (Oenanthe javanica) is an edible ground cover that can be grown in sun or shade. It likes moisture and will form dense colonies. Water celery is both frost and heat tolerant and easy to grow from transplants or seed.
All parts of the plant can be eaten. The raw leaves have some flavor celery and parsley in combination.
You can find watercress plants at Home Depot.
13. Ostrich Ferns Violides
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The ostrich away Fiddles are harvested for the tender, young shoots in early spring. The plant thrives in shady areas with moist soil and can spread.
The delicious fiddleheads should be picked when they are tightly coiled and only a few inches (7.5 cm) tall and then cooked for at least ten minutes to bring out their unique crisp and dry flavor.
Get ostrich fern plants for just a few dollars each from Native Wildflowers Nursery.
