Perennial Vegetables are not known by many gardeners even though many already have them in their gardens. Basically, they are crops that can be planted once and harvested continuously for many years.
The best part about perennial vegetables is their low maintenance, which makes them a great choice for new gardeners or those with busy schedules. There are many advantages to planting perennial veggies, besides having a reliable harvest every year.
Perennial vegetables actually fertilize their own soil and the soil surrounding them, providing nutrients to their neighboring plants. They are beautiful to look at and tend to attract beneficial insects and pollinators too.
In this article, you’ll learn about the best perennial vegetables to grow if you want to harvest them annually. Before we list the top perennial edible plants, let’s find out a bit more about these delicious vegetables.
KALE
With its ever-growing popularity, kale is becoming a staple vegetable grown in many gardens and even windowsills. Baby greens are ready to pick when they are about 2 inches tall; avoid harvesting the central growing point of the plant to maintain continuous growth throughout the growing season.
RADISHES
Gardeners love to plant radishes for their peppery flavor and rapid growth. They grow well in either containers or soil that has been worked well. Radishes thrive in ambient temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees, making them good spring and fall crops. They can be harvested in as quickly as three weeks.
RHUBARB
Although rhubarb stems are prepared like a fruit in cakes and pies, it is actually a vegetable. Rhubarb can grow in gardens for years and gives a bountiful annual crop of tart red stems. Usually, it takes about three years for the edible stems to develop fully. After that, you can harvest the stalks and use them for baking rhubarb pie or other sweet dishes.
Grow rhubarb as a perennial edible plant in zones 3 and above.
GARLIC
Another perennial that is grown as an annual is garlic. Many people are unaware of the fact that garlic only needs to be planted once, and can be harvested every year. Garlic is a self-sustaining crop that, if properly cultivated, can yield 3 to 8 times greater amount then planted. Paying a little attention during cultivation time will reap fruitful results for a long time.
When grown as a perinneal the young stems, flowers and leaves are harvested instead of the bulbs. These can be added to stews and soups instead of the cloves to add a garlic flavor to your meals.
HORSERADISH
The main edible part of a horseradish is its large roots which bring with it a strong and spicy flavor. One of the problems encountered with horseradish is that their roots tend to be aggressive in their growth.
Horseradish roots grow quickly and spread out wide. This can create some problems for other crops and the horseradish may become a bit weedy if left unchecked. When you harvest, you should make sure to remove as much root possible. Leave just enough in the ground for the next years crop to grow properly.
ASPARAGUS
Asparagus is one of the most commonly grown perennial vegetables in the world. Though they do take a long time to properly establish, it is well worth the wait. After they are fully matured, they can provide abundant spears for many years to come.
WATERCRESS
Watercress is easily identifiable by its hollow stems and small heart-shaped leaves. It grows best in cool but sunny places. As the name suggests, Watercress is usually found beside a creek or a lake as it requires a lot of water to grow. This makes it great for gardens with heavy wet soil.
Alternatively, you can also grow it in a pot filled with water or a fish tank. To harvest, just cut the leaves a few inches above the ground and it will regrow year after year.