Why Replant Every Year? Perennial Veggies

The easiest way to shorten your to-do list?

Stop replanting every year and plant perennials that you can harvest. There are the more obvious options of fruit trees, shrubs and herbs but there are veggie options to consider for the garden… And once they’re established, they handle droughts, floods, and general neglect which every gardener can be guilty of. 

ASPARAGUS We all know it! But you may not know that this plant will come back stronger every year and spread underground. The first couple of years after planting might not yield a full harvest, but once your asparagus has time to establish itself, there’ll be plenty of shoots to cook up OR eat raw!

SUNCHOKES Sunchokes are a fantastic perennial that keeps on giving. These nutty, crunchy tubers are packed with fiber and vitamins, making them a nutritious addition to your meals. Once planted, they require minimal care and return each year as a beautiful, tall sunflower. To harvest, simply dig the tubers up in the fall after the foliage has died back.

RED-VEINED SORREL Red-veined sorrel is a beautiful, herbaceous perennial that adds both flavor and color to the garden. Its leaves have a tangy, lemony taste and are perfect for salads, soups, and sauces. To harvest, simply snip the outer leaves as needed, allowing new growth to flourish. When the leaves are young, feel free to toss them directly into a salad. If you let the leaves mature, you may want to cook them down like spinach. We’ve planted these in rain gardens historically as they love moist soils.

HORSERADISH Bring a spicy kick to the kitchen with minimal effort. Horseradish roots are perfect for adding bold flavor to sauces and dishes. To harvest, just dig up the roots in late fall or early spring, leaving some behind to ensure next year’s crop. Horseradish leaves are also edible and feature the same smell and flavor. Cut them back a few times a year to promote regrowth and reharvesting.

TURMERIC Turmeric’s earthy, slightly peppery flavor is perfect for your curries, smoothies, and teas. You can plant it once and forget about it! Turmeric thrives in warm, humid conditions, so if you’re north of us here in Atlanta, you may need to keep your turmeric containerized and bring it indoors over the winter. To harvest, simply dig up the rhizomes in late summer or early fall when the leaves begin to yellow.

Keep in mind, a lot of these plants that grow tubers are found at the grocery store or farmer’s market. Don’t be afraid to pop those nuggets straight into the ground to start your own colony. Just look for firm, healthy pieces, plant them a few inches deep in loose soil, and keep the soil evenly moist. A resilient garden with perennial vegetables will reward your patience with food and beauty year after year. Start with a few and watch them settle in and provide!