This post is all about perennial vegetables.
Maybe it’s the permaculture in me, but whenever I can I like to plant perennials. Many of the widely known perennials are fruits, but what about the vegetables? Here we have compiled a list of perennial veggies that do well in temperate climates to inspire your gardening.
Horse Radish
- Water Needs: High! This plant grows wild on ditch and stream banks. Could be the perfect addition to a grey water garden.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 3.
- Full sun to light shade.
- Buy starts here at Johnny’s.
Asparagus
- Water needs: Loves the water, it grows wild on ditch and stream banks.
- USDA Zones 2-11
- Full sun is best.
- Find starts from a friend or here at Johnny’s.
Sea Kale
- Water needs: Moderate. Water regularly but don’t overwater.
- USDA Zones 4-8.
- Full sun to light shade.
- Edible roots, shoots and flowers.
- Find a start of sea kale here.
Ground Nut
- Water needs: Relatively tolerant of wet and dry soils.
- USDA Zones 4-9.
- Vining growth habit
- Find tubers to start from here. Also here is an excellent article that talks about how to grow ground nuts in more depth.
Fiddle Heads (ostrich Fern)
- Water needs: requires regular watering especially the first few seasons. But if it has consistently moist soil, you should be fine.
- USDA Zones 3-7.
- Prefers at least some shade. Full sun can burn the leaves.
- Find ostrich fern starts here.
Jerusalem Artichokes (Sun Chokes)
- Somewhat drought tolerant. Though plants should receive consistent water if you want good yields.
- USDA Zones 3-8.
- Put these puppies in the sun!
- The top of these looks like a sunflower. Their tuberous roots are edible.
- Jerusalem Artichoke tubers for planting can be purchased here. Or better yet get a start from a friend or neighbor.
Tree Collards or Cabbage
- Water needs: Low.
- Zones 7-10
- Find tree collard plants here.
Artichokes
- Water Needs: Low
- Zones 7-11 (Though they will die back and grow from the roots in colder climates)
- Check out your local nursery for artichoke starts, or plant them yourself. Here is a link to some artichoke seeds from Baker Creek.
rhubarb
- Water Needs: Average
- USDA Zone 3-8
- Buy starts here!
Walking Onion
- Water Needs: Not much, make sure they have time to dry between watering, as onions will rot if left in water too long.
- USDA Zone 3-10
- Find starts here! Or ask around, these are fairly common.
Water Cress
- Water needs: HIGH! Water cress literally grows in streams.
- USDA Zone 3-11
- Buy seeds here!
Good King Henry
- Water needs: Make sure the soil stays moist.
- USDA Zone 3-9
- Here is a good article on growing Good King Henry.
- Find a start here!
Chicory
- Water needs: The internet says to give them 1 to 2 inches of water a week, but I soak mine really well once a week and they seem to do fine. And I’ve seen it growing wild here in the high mountain desert, so I don’t think they take that much water.
- USDA Zone 3-10
- Find seeds here!
Chives
- Water needs: Allow the soil time to dry out in between watering. Water once or twice a week.
- USDA Zone 3-10
- Find seeds here!
lovage
- Water needs: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
- USDA Zone 3-9
- Find seeds here!
ramps
- Water needs: Ramps thrive in moist soil.
- USDA Zone 3-7
- Find a start of ramps here!
DayLillies
- Water needs: Average, about an inch a week.
- USDA Zone 4-9
- Find daylily plants here!
Three Cornered Leeks (Snow Bells)
- Water needs: Like other alliums allow soil to dry out between watering.
- USDA Zone ??? (It grows in New England yet if you look up the zones online it says 7-10?)
- Find a start here!
Perennials You May know as Anuals
There are many perennials that are widely grown as annuals in today’s vegetable gardens. There are also annuals that are good at self seeding and thus act like a perennials. Here is a list of these “sneaky” perennial vegetables.
- Arugula
- Sorrel
- Garlic
- Kale
- Radicchio
There you have it 19 perennial vegetables for your garden.
Check out the homesteading resource page for more awesome books and resources on homesteading!
