Imagine a garden that keeps giving year after year without the need to replant every season. Perennial vegetables make this dream a reality.
Unlike annuals, which require replanting each year, perennials provide a long-term solution for sustainable gardening, saving you time, effort, and money.
Here’s a detailed guide to 18 perennial veggies you can plant once and harvest for years to come.
1. Asparagus
Asparagus is a garden favorite and one of the most popular perennial vegetables. Once established, it can produce for 15-20 years.
- Planting Tips: Asparagus thrives in well-drained soil with full sunlight. Plant crowns about 8-10 inches deep.
- Harvest: Avoid harvesting the first year to let the plant establish. From the second year onward, enjoy tender spears each spring.
2. Rhubarb
Although technically a vegetable, rhubarb is often treated as a fruit in recipes. It’s a hardy perennial that can last for decades.
- Planting Tips: Rhubarb prefers cool climates and rich, well-drained soil. Plant crowns in early spring.
- Harvest: Wait until the second year to start harvesting the stalks. Never eat the leaves as they are toxic.
3. Artichokes
Artichokes are delicious and add a touch of elegance to your garden.
- Planting Tips: They prefer mild climates and fertile, well-drained soil. Mulch heavily to protect roots in colder areas.
- Harvest: Harvest buds before they open for the best flavor.
4. Horseradish
Horseradish is a low-maintenance perennial known for its spicy roots.
- Planting Tips: It grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. Be cautious—it spreads quickly and can take over your garden.
- Harvest: Dig up roots in the fall for the strongest flavor.
5. Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes)
Jerusalem artichokes are nutty, versatile, and easy to grow.
- Planting Tips: Plant tubers in loose, sandy soil with full sun. They can become invasive, so designate a specific area for them.
- Harvest: Dig tubers in the fall after the plants have died back.
6. Chives
Chives are a versatile perennial herb that doubles as a vegetable.
- Planting Tips: Chives thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Divide clumps every few years to encourage growth.
- Harvest: Snip leaves as needed throughout the growing season.
7. Sorrel
Sorrel adds a tangy, lemony flavor to salads and soups.
- Planting Tips: Plant in moist, well-drained soil with partial to full sun. Sorrel is frost-hardy and easy to grow.
- Harvest: Pick young leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
8. Good King Henry
This traditional European vegetable is similar to spinach and is a great perennial option.
- Planting Tips: It prefers rich, well-drained soil and partial shade. Patience is key as it’s slow to establish.
- Harvest: Cut leaves in spring and early summer for the best flavor.
9. Walking Onions
Walking onions, also known as Egyptian onions, are a fascinating perennial that reproduces on its own.
- Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil with full sun. They are winter-hardy and low maintenance.
- Harvest: Use the greens like chives or harvest small bulbs for cooking.
10. Lovage
Lovage has a celery-like flavor and grows back year after year.
- Planting Tips: Lovage thrives in full sun to partial shade and rich, moist soil.
- Harvest: Pick leaves and stems as needed. The seeds are also edible.
11. Sea Kale
Sea kale is a unique perennial vegetable with edible leaves, flowers, and roots.
- Planting Tips: It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun. Mulch heavily to protect against frost.
- Harvest: Blanch young shoots in spring or enjoy mature leaves and flowers.
12. Perennial Kale
Perennial kale, such as “Daubenton” kale, provides greens year-round.
- Planting Tips: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil with full sun. Perennial kale is hardy and long-lasting.
- Harvest: Pick leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
13. Skirret
Skirret is an ancient root vegetable with a sweet, nutty flavor.
- Planting Tips: Plant in moist, fertile soil with full to partial sun. Skirret grows best in cool climates.
- Harvest: Dig up roots in late fall or early winter.
14. Perpetual Spinach
Perpetual spinach is a type of chard that acts like a perennial in many climates.
- Planting Tips: It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
- Harvest: Pick leaves regularly to keep the plant producing.
15. Tree Collards
Tree collards are a hardy perennial brassica that can grow up to 10 feet tall.
- Planting Tips: They prefer mild climates and rich, well-drained soil. Stake plants to prevent them from toppling over.
- Harvest: Pick leaves as needed. They are sweeter after a frost.
16. Daylilies
Daylilies are not just ornamental; their shoots, buds, and flowers are edible.
- Planting Tips: They grow in almost any soil type and prefer full sun.
- Harvest: Pick young shoots, unopened flower buds, or blossoms for culinary use.
17. Chinese Artichokes (Crosnes)
Chinese artichokes are small, crunchy tubers with a mild, nutty flavor.
- Planting Tips: Plant in loose, well-drained soil with full sun or partial shade.
- Harvest: Dig up tubers in late fall or early winter.
18. Watercress
Watercress is a nutrient-dense perennial vegetable that thrives in wet conditions.
- Planting Tips: Grow in shallow water or moist soil with partial sun. Ensure constant water availability.
- Harvest: Snip leaves regularly for salads and garnishes.
Benefits of Growing Perennial Vegetables
- Low Maintenance: Once established, perennials require less care compared to annuals.
- Cost-Effective: You’ll save on seeds and planting supplies year after year.
- Eco-Friendly: Perennials reduce soil disturbance, promoting healthier soil ecosystems.
- Continuous Harvest: Enjoy fresh produce across multiple seasons with minimal effort.
- Resilient: Many perennial vegetables are hardy and drought-tolerant.
Adding perennial vegetables to your garden is a smart and sustainable way to grow your own food. With options ranging from leafy greens to root crops, there’s something for every gardener and climate.
By planting these 18 perennial vegetables, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown produce year after year with minimal effort.
Start planting today and transform your garden into a perennial paradise that keeps on giving!
