Perennial Crops

Part three on what to grow for Preppers

Annuals, Biennials and Perennials. Annuals are planted as seeds, emerge in the spring and die back in fall or winter. Biennials become established in the first year, then they produce seed and die in the second year. Perennials live for more than 2 years and produce seed most every year.

Reasons to Grow Perennials;

They require less work – once perennials get growing, all you have to do is keep the “weeds” back, perform some basic regular pruning and enjoy the crop when harvest time rolls around.

To increase your food production – perennials are often some of the first foods to emerge in the spring (ramps, chives, rhubarb and sorrel come to mind) and they are also some of the last harvested foods of the season (pears and apples).

Deeper roots = less watering – since perennials stay put in the ground, they are able to extend their roots deeper into the soil. If you live in an area that experiences drought, perennials may be the key to your gardening success.

Soil improvers – when you stop disturbing the soil, such as in no-dig gardening, you will improve the health of your soil every season.

Nutrient gatherers – the deeper roots of perennials will help to bring essential nutrients closer to the surface of the soil. This, in turn, favors the germination of annuals and biennials.

Rhubarb – Rheum rhabarbarum

Sorrel – Rumex acetosa

Chives – Allium schoenoprasum

Asparagus – Asparagus officinalis

Jerusalem artichoke – Helianthus tuberosus

Globe artichoke – Cynara scolymus

Horseradish – Armoracia rusticana

Watercress – Nasturtium officinale

Garlic (typically grown as an annual) – Allium sativum

Kale (typically grown as an annual) – Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Bunching onions – Egyptian onions – Allium proliferum

Good King Henry – Chenopodium bonus-henricus