What to plant as permanent crops
Unpredictable extremes of weather are now common. Growing annual edibles is increasingly challenging and disheartening. Slugs and snails can demolish new leaves. An extended drought can also push young plants to bolt. As a result, many veg growers now choose perennial veg.
These edible permanent crops return each year and bring resilience. They suit gardeners who practise no-dig, as soil disturbance is greatly reduced. Below are examples of permanent crop edibles to consider growing.
Many herbs, evergreen or perennial, deserve a place in a permanent crops border. Well-known choices include rosemary, bay, sage, thyme, and chives. There are also lesser-known but equally tasty herbs worth adding. Here are a few examples.
Wild Rocket
This undemanding herb is the perennial cousin of annual rocket. It is relatively free of pests and diseases. It produces generous leaves all summer and well into autumn. The flavour is strong and becomes stronger in dry weather.
Grow it in free-draining soil and full sun, though part shade is fine. Sow seeds from mid-spring to early August. Alternatively, plant a plug for faster results. Once established, you will harvest heaps of leaves. Use them in salads or whizz into a pesto. The plant dies down in winter and regrows in spring.
Top tip - Give it plenty of room, as it can sprawl.
Watercress
Contrary to popular belief, watercress does not need standing water. It also does not require permanently wet soil. Packed with nutrients and flavour, it is very easy to grow. Plant in a container so the arching stems are easy to harvest. It often dies back in autumn but may overwinter in shelter. A relatively frost-free spot helps it persist as a permanent crop.
Top tip - Make new plants by rooting a healthy stem in water. It soon develops water roots and is ready for potting. Use peat-free, multi-purpose compost, then grow on before planting.
Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are related to chives but differ in growth and appearance. Their stems are wider, thicker, and more upright. They produce white flowers in early autumn. Ordinary chives have lavender flowers in April or May. Ordinary chives also have narrow, floppy stems. Garlic chives offer a distinct garlic taste. In both the stems and flowers are edible. Give plants moist soil and full sun, and they should thrive.
Top tip - When harvesting, cut stems close to the base to encourage new leaves.
Wild Garlic
Wild garlic is popular, but it spreads rapidly. If you grow it, use a container and manage flowers. Remove flowers before they set seed; the flowers are edible too. Leaves are oval, elongated, and pointed, with a strong garlic scent. Plants prefer shade and rich, moisture-retentive soil. You will find them wild on woodland edges and meadows.
Leaves appear from March and are usually picked until May. Steep leaves in oil for a garlic-flavoured oil. Flowers and flower stalks can be used in the same way. Wild garlic also makes a delicious pesto for later use.
Sweet Cicely
Lesser-known than the herbs above, sweet cicely is equally useful. It smells and tastes of sweet aniseed. Use it to sweeten rhubarb and other sharp fruit. It pairs well with gooseberries and cooking apples. The leaves also enliven the taste of potatoes. It grows easily in most soils, in sun or part shade.
Top tip - All parts are edible: seeds, leaves, flowers, and roots.
Perennial Veg
Several nurseries now specialise in perennial veg. You can usually buy plants online with ease. Options include perennial lettuce, spinach, and walking onions. Also consider the leafy plant ‘Good King Henry’. These make reliable permanent crops for long-term harvests.
Perennial Kale
Perennial kale often contains more vitamins A and C than annual kale. Notable cultivars include Taunton Deane, Cottager’s kale, and Daubenton’s. All are hardy, easy to grow, and very productive. Leaves can often be harvested throughout the year. Perennial kale is a cornerstone permanent crop for many gardens.
Top tip - Propagate from side stems in summer and early autumn for best results.
Asparagus
Freshly harvested asparagus delivers unbeatable flavour. For the best taste, cook spears the same day. Growing your own makes this simple and rewarding. Asparagus were originally a coastal plant with roaming roots. They demand free-draining soil and zero competition. Plant crowns on raised mounds with roots spread.
Heap soil over the crown to finish. Once established, asparagus can crop for twenty years. Do not harvest until crowns are three years old. If impatient, harvest in year two with caution. This reduces crown life to about seven years. Asparagus is a premium permanent crop for flavour lovers.
Horseradish
Horseradish is very easy to grow and reliable. It is mostly free from pests and diseases. The leaves resemble dock at first glance. Horseradish leaves stand more upright than dock leaves. Grow in full sun and water regularly after planting. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent rot. Harvest the long, thin roots from late autumn to winter.
Make horseradish sauce by peeling and grating the root. Add white or cider vinegar, plus sugar or sour cream. Season with a pinch of salt, then blend until smooth. Store the sauce in the fridge for four to six weeks.
Top tips - Like wild garlic, horseradish can spread in open soil. Grow it in a deep container to keep control. A little homemade sauce goes a long way. Make small batches and store unpeeled roots in damp sand. Do not store them too long, or they may regrow.
Rhubarb
Crumble with rhubarb and custard is a timeless treat. Rhubarb is a robust perennial with few problems. Once established, it yields generously for many years. Give plants ample space as they mature. Expect a clump at least 1.5 metres wide. Rhubarb is a forgiving permanent crop for beginners.
Top tip - Harvest by pulling the stem with a sharp downward motion. Avoid cutting, which can weaken the crown and regrowth. Pulling encourages new stems to form strongly.
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Drop us an email at [email protected] with photos of your permanent crops! Or leave a comment below about the veg you have chosen for your garden.