Try some of these tasty options that produce year after year.
Growing Perennial Vegetables
Growing perennial vegetables is a great way to expand your garden. Perennial vegetables are plants that can be harvested multiple times over several years, saving you the effort of starting fresh each season. Additionally, perennials often require fewer inputs than annual crops and can also attract beneficial insects and birds to your garden.
When it comes to growing perennial vegetables, there are many options available. Some common perennials include artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb, sea kale, and sorrel. Many of these vegetables have long harvest seasons, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy them in the kitchen. You can also save money by propagating your own plants from seed or division.
When planting perennial vegetables, it’s important to consider the soil type and drainage in your garden. Most perennials prefer soils that have good drainage and are enriched with organic matter like compost or aged manure. Make sure to prepare the soil before planting by tilling or spading it deeply and adding any necessary amendments.
Perennial vegetables need regular watering in order to thrive and produce abundant harvests. Depending on your climate, this may mean watering once a week or more often during periods of drought or extreme heat. If you’re unsure about how much water your plants need, check the soil for moisture every few days with your finger or a soil probe.
You should also fertilize your perennial veggies regularly in order to promote healthy growth and maximize yields. Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or compost tea every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season for best results. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production, so be sure not to overdo it!
Finally, make sure to practice regular pest control throughout the growing season to keep pests away from your perennial veggies. This might include using companion planting strategies such as planting marigolds near asparagus or using natural insecticides like neem oil spray when needed. Taking these steps will help ensure that you get a bountiful harvest from your perennial vegetable garden!
Planting Rhubarb
Planting rhubarb is a great way to add nutritious and delicious flavor to your garden. Not only is it a hardy and low maintenance crop, but it also has a long harvest season that can last through the summer months. Rhubarb is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back year after year without needing to be replanted. It is best grown in cooler climates with plenty of sun, though it can tolerate some shade.
When planting rhubarb, choose an area in your garden that gets full sun for at least six hours per day and has well-draining soil. The soil should be amended with compost before planting to ensure the rhubarb has all the necessary nutrients for growth. Rhubarb plants should be spaced about three feet apart and planted about two inches deep.
Water your new rhubarb plants once a week during dry spells, and make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize your rhubarb plants twice a year with a balanced fertilizer in spring and late summer. Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and control weeds.
Harvesting rhubarb is easy; simply pull up each stalk when it reaches approximately one foot in length or when it turns red or pinkish in color. Cut off the leaves as they are poisonous, but leave some of the leaf stalks intact so that new growth can occur. You can harvest rhubarb throughout its growing season which typically lasts from mid-spring until mid-summer, depending on your climate and variety of plant.
Rhubarb is a great addition to any garden and can provide you with delicious stalks for years to come!
Planting Chives
Planting chives is a great way to bring fresh flavor to your dishes – and with just a bit of effort, you can have a beautiful and plentiful crop of chives in your garden.
Chives are a member of the onion family and they’re really easy to grow. They do best in full sun, although they can tolerate some shade. To get started, purchase some chive seeds or small potted plants from your local nursery or garden center.
When planting chives, you’ll want to choose a spot that has well-drained soil and good air circulation. Chives don’t like wet feet so make sure the area doesn’t flood easily. Plant the chive seeds 1/2 inch deep and space them 4 inches apart, then cover them lightly with soil. If you’ve purchased potted plants, just set them in the ground at the same spacing and lightly cover the roots with soil.
Chives will take about 2-3 weeks to germinate and begin growing. Once established, you can begin harvesting chive leaves when they reach 6 inches tall (about 8 weeks after planting). You can either snip off individual leaves or cut entire stems down to 1 inch high for more new growth. Be sure to leave at least one third of the plant intact so it can continue to produce leaves for you throughout the season. It’s best to harvest in the morning when it’s cool outside as this is when the oils that give chives their flavor are most concentrated.
Your chive plants should last for several years as long as you keep harvesting them regularly – but eventually they will weaken and die off so it’s best to sow new seeds every few years if you want an ongoing harvest of fresh chives. Enjoy!
Planting Asparagus</h2
Planting asparagus is a great way to get fresh and nutritious vegetables right in your own backyard! Asparagus is a perennial vegetable, meaning it will come back year after year with some proper care. Here’s what you need to know about planting asparagus:
When to Plant: Asparagus is best planted in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. It’s important to make sure the soil temperature stays around 50°F or higher for successful germination.
Where to Plant: Asparagus prefers full sun and well-drained soil that’s high in organic matter. It’s best to plant asparagus in raised beds or hills, as this will help with drainage and warm the soil faster in the spring.
How to Plant: To start, dig a trench about 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Line the bottom of the trench with compost and then spread the crowns evenly along the length of the trench. Cover with 3-4 inches of loose soil, then firm lightly and water thoroughly. As the plants grow, add more soil until eventually they are completely covered.
Care: Water regularly during dry periods and keep weeds under control by hoeing or mulching around plants. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once per month during the growing season (April through August). Harvest spears when they are 4-6 inches tall by cutting them off at ground level with a sharp knife—be careful not to damage any emerging buds!
Planting Jerusalem Artichoke
When planting Jerusalem artichoke, start by making sure the location you’ve chosen is suitable. Jerusalem artichokes prefer full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Choose an area that drains well and is not prone to flooding or standing water.
Once your chosen space is prepped, it’s time to plant! Jerusalem artichoke tubers should be planted in early spring, when the soil temperature has reached 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit (4-7 degrees Celsius). It’s best to plant the tubers 4 – 6 inches deep and spaced 8 – 10 inches apart.
After your tubers are planted, water them thoroughly. Jerusalem artichokes need plenty of moisture throughout their growing season and will require regular watering. Make sure not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Mulching between plants is a great way to help retain moisture and keep weeds from taking over.
As your plants continue to grow, monitor them for pests and diseases. Common problems for Jerusalem artichokes include aphids, slugs, snails, white mold, and bacterial soft rot. Treat any issues promptly with an appropriate solution.
Harvesting Jerusalem artichoke can begin as soon as late summer or early fall. Dig up the entire plant carefully and brush off any dirt that may be clinging to the tuber. Cut off any stems or leaves that remain on the tuber before storing in a cool dry place until you are ready to use them.
Planting Horseradish
Planting horseradish is an easy and rewarding way to add a delicious and unique flavor to your cooking. Horseradish is a hardy, fast-growing perennial root crop that can be grown in most parts of the United States and Canada. It’s known for its strong, pungent flavor that adds a kick to sauces and dressings when grated or chopped up.
When planning to plant horseradish, it’s important to pick a spot where it can remain undisturbed for several years. The ideal location should have well-drained soil that gets plenty of sunlight. If possible, avoid areas with heavy clay soils or areas that have standing water.
Horseradish is typically planted in the early spring when the soil can be worked easily. Start by tilling the soil deeply, then mix in some compost or aged manure to improve fertility and help retain moisture. Dig wide furrows about 4-6 inches deep and plant the horseradish roots 12-18 inches apart in each row. Cover with soil, then water thoroughly.
Once established, horseradish requires very little care beyond regular weeding and occasional watering during dry periods. Fertilizing isn’t usually necessary as long as you’ve added compost at planting time. In late summer or early fall when the foliage begins to yellow and die back, it’s time to harvest your horseradish roots. Carefully dig them up with a spade or fork and clean off any soil before storing them in a cool dry place until ready to use them in recipes or preserve them for later use.
With just a little bit of effort, you can enjoy fresh horseradish for years to come!
Planting Bunching Onions
When it comes to planting bunching onions, it is important to select the right variety for your specific climate and soil conditions. For instance, some varieties are more tolerant of cold weather while others prefer warmer climates. Additionally, some varieties have larger bulbs or grow more quickly than others.
When planting bunching onions, it is important to choose a location with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. It is important to add organic matter such as compost or manure to the soil prior to planting. This provides a nutrient-rich environment for the plants, allowing them to grow and develop effectively. Additionally, adding organic matter improves the soil structure, allowing for better drainage and air circulation. This assists in root development, aiding the plants in obtaining essential nutrients and moisture. Be sure to mix the amendments into the top 6-12 inches of soil.
Bunching onions should be planted in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant them in rows, spacing them 4-6 inches apart and 1 inch deep in the soil. Water thoroughly after planting and keep well-watered throughout their growing season.
Fertilize your bunching onions every two weeks with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, such as fish emulsion or liquid kelp. Avoid over-fertilizing as this can lead to overly large bulbs and poor flavor.
Bunching onions should be harvested when their stems are 6-8 inches long and their tops are starting to yellow or fall over. Cut them off at the soil line using a sharp knife or scissors, taking care not to damage any of the neighboring plants. After harvesting, store them in a cool, dark place until ready for use.
By following these guidelines for planting and caring for your bunching onions, you will be able to enjoy a fresh harvest of flavorful bulbs all season long!