Imagine cultivating a garden that continually provides fresh produce with minimal effort! Perennial vegetables are your answer, as they can yield delicious crops year after year. Here are the top 10 perennial vegetables that promise a bounty in your garden.
1. Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient-packed perennial that yields tender spears every spring. Once established, an asparagus bed can be produced for up to 20 years or more. For optimal growth, plant it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and enrich it with compost. Regular mulching helps retain moisture and keeps weeds at bay.
Rhubarb offers tart stalks that are perfect for desserts and sauces. Thriving in cooler climates, you can harvest it from spring to early summer. To ensure robust growth, amend the soil with compost and keep the roots cool with mulch, which also retains moisture.
Not only is artichoke a culinary delight, but it also adds beauty to your garden. These plants produce edible flower buds from late spring to early summer. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. For enhanced growth, fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer during the growing season.
For a spicy kick, horseradish is a fantastic choice. This pungent root vegetable thrives in designated areas or containers to manage its vigorous growth. Harvesting roots encourages new growth. Grate fresh horseradish and mix with vinegar for an easy homemade condiment.
Known as sunchokes, Jerusalem artichokes produce crisp, nutty tubers. While they’re easy to grow, they can become invasive, so plant them in a contained area. These plants thrive in full sun and can tolerate various soil types. Harvest tubers in the fall and store them in a cool, dark place.
Walking onions, or Egyptian onions, provide a continuous harvest of green onions. They produce clusters of small bulbs at the top of tall stems that replant themselves, allowing them to “walk” around the garden. They thrive in well-draining soil and full sun, making them an easy-to-grow favourite.
Lovage is a lesser-known perennial herb with a flavour similar to celery. Both leaves and stems are edible and can enhance soups, stews, and salads. Lovage prefers well-draining soil and partial to full sun. Regular harvesting promotes bushier growth, so don’t hesitate to use its flavorful leaves.
With its tangy, lemon-like flavour, sorrel is a refreshing leafy green perennial. Its tender leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, perfect for salads or as a cooked ingredient. Sorrel thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates partial shade, making it a versatile choice.
Sea kale produces tender shoots with a mild, nutty flavour and is low-maintenance once established. Plant it in sandy, well-drained soil and full sun. Not only is sea kale edible, but it also has ornamental qualities, producing beautiful flowers in the summer.
Also known as crosnes, Chinese artichokes feature small, knobby tubers that have a crisp texture and nutty flavour. They can be eaten raw or cooked, adding a unique touch to dishes. They thrive in rich, well-drained soil but should be planted in a contained area to prevent spreading.
