Creating a Perennial Food Garden: Sow Once, Harvest Forever

Are you tired of planting your garden from scratch every year? Losing all the cucumbers, zucchini, melons, and tomatoes that you slaved over?? Don’t despair, start thinking long term to create a more abundant harvest each year. A perennial food garden offers a brilliant solution by allowing you to grow food plants that yield a harvest year after year, minimizing the need for replanting. In this article, we will delve into the world of perennial food gardening and highlight ten easy-to-grow perennial plants that can bring a continuous abundance to your home garden.

1. Asparagus – is a nutrient-rich vegetable that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Plant crowns in early spring and allow them to establish for a few seasons before harvesting. Asparagus provides a delectable harvest for up to 20 years. The best time to plant it is NOW because it can take 3-4 years before it becomes well established and worthy of harvest.
2. Rhubarb –  is known for its tart flavor it is a hardy perennial that requires minimal maintenance. Plant crowns in early spring or fall, and with proper care, they can produce for over a decade. Harvest the stalks only, leaving the leaves intact. Make stews, stir-fry, pies, jams, and jellies.
3. Strawberries – are a beloved perennial fruit, that can be grown in pots, raised beds, or traditional garden beds. Opt for everbearing or day-neutral varieties for continuous fruit production from spring to fall. Mulch the plants to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Strawberry plants maintain production for about 5 years before you need to replace.
4. Raspberries – Raspberries are a delicious addition to any perennial food garden. They come in two types: summer-bearing and everbearing. Plant them in well-drained soil and provide a trellis or support system for the canes to grow. Harvest sweet, juicy berries from summer to fall. Try regular, black raspberries, and gold raspberries. They are very easy to care for as well, you can generally cut them to the ground each winter.
5. Blackberries  – are a hardy and vigorous perennial fruit that can produce for years to come. Plant thornless or thorny varieties in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Train the canes along a trellis or fence for easier maintenance and harvesting.
6. Chives – versatile herb with a mild onion flavor, chives are a fantastic addition to any perennial garden. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Harvest the leaves throughout the growing season and enjoy their culinary benefits year after year.
7. Honeyberry – is part of the honeysuckle family and they produce large berries that look like elongated blueberries or jellybeans. It is a native plant and the fruit taste like a tart cross between a blueberry and a blackberry. Eat them fresh or make desserts and preserves.
8. Service Berry – This is another native, also called wild plum and its a tree or shrub that produces lots of delicious berries in June. Use the berries the same way you would use blueberries.
9. Peppers – Yes, you read that right. Peppers are perennial but will die in cold climates. They can, however, be brought inside the house to overwinter. They can be cut black and stored in a cool dark place to go dormant or you can keep them in a warm environment under lights to harvest all year long.
10. Hardy Figs – There are quite a few fig tree varieties that can withstand cold temperatures. You may need to assist them with winterization but the harvest of delicious figs in summer is well worth the time and effort. Look for Chicago Figs or Brown Turkey Figs, among others. They can also be kept in pots and overwintered in a garage or basement. They do need to go dormant every year for maximum health and yields.

By incorporating these ten easy-to-grow perennial plants into your food garden, you can enjoy a continuous harvest year after year with minimal effort. Whether it’s the crisp stalks of asparagus or the juicy berries of strawberries and blackberries, these perennial plants will provide you with an abundance of fresh, flavorful produce. So, start creating your own perennial food garden and revel in the joy of sowing once and harvesting forever.