Finding Space for Perennial Vegetables in Your Garden

There are many wonderful perennial vegetables that gardeners can grow, but perennial vegetables also require quite a bit of forethought and planning before putting them in the ground. Since most perennial vegetables will occupy a space for ten or fifteen years (and perhaps even longer), there are several factors to consider, and preparations that should be done, before planting them in their new home:

Location - Since perennial vegetables will be occupying the same garden space for years to come, you should seriously consider how they fit into your garden plan.

Many gardeners prefer to locate perennial vegetables such as asparagus towards the back of their garden, where they will be somewhat out of the way after their harvest is over, and their plots less likely to be trod during the growing season. However, I personally enjoy putting the prettier perennial vegetables, like rhubarb, front and center. If the perennial vegetable is a variety you need to harvest over a long period of time, you may want to put it in a location that is easy to access as well.

Future Propagation and Transplants - Perennials such as rhubarb can be divided and the divisions can then be transplanted, so that one plant over the years will yield many other. When selecting a location you should also decide if you want to keep these transplants (or gift them to others) and if so, where you will put them. Although one rhubarb plant does not take up much space, half a dozen will need a considerable garden block designated for your future rhubarb garden.

Soil Preparation - Since you will not be rotating a perennial vegetable crop, it is very important that the soil in the area you are planting is well prepared. The soil should be rich, well drained, and not lacking in any needed nutrients. Be sure to dig in plenty of compost and any other needed soil amendments in before you set your perennial vegetable transplants into the ground.

By taking the time to carefully plan your perennial vegetable garden, you should literally reap the benefits for years to come.

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Perennial Vegetable Profile: Asparagus

Asparagus may be one of the most popular perennial vegetables for home gardeners. Long lived, an asparagus patch can easily live in excess of fifteen years, producing delicious stems year after year.

If you are thinking about growing asparagus, you should put a lot of thought into site selection and preparation, as once the plants are in the ground, making changes and putting amendments into the soil can be difficult, and detrimental to the plants growth.

Site Selection:

First of all, asparagus is a perennial vegetable that needs an area with good drainage. Waterlogged sites will lead to root rot, destroying your plants. Also, asparagus grows best if the soil pH level is between 6.5-7.5, and will do poorly in the pH is any less than 6. Finally, dig in any soil amendments and fertilizer to a depth of at least six inches before you plant.

Since this is going to be a permanent patch, you will want to think about where the best location will be for your asparagus. Many gardeners prefer to locate their perennial vegetable patches toward the back of the garden, where they don't have to worry about stepping on plants while tending to their annual vegetable varieties. Do make sure the plants receive plenty of sun.

Plant Selection:

Generally it is best to start with healthy one-year old crowns. Many gardeners prefer to select the newer all male hybrid varieties since they have spectacular yields and are often disease resistant as well. Plant after the soil has warmed to at least fifty degrees.

You should plant your asparagus crowns in furrows, five to six inches deep and about eighteen inches apart. Adding a phosphorous source to the trench immediately before adding the crowns can help improve future yields. Cover the crowns with soil up to the original soil level.

Growing and Harvesting

It is important that you do not harvest any spears during the first year of growth, so the plant can put its energy into producing quality, healthy plants that will be vigorous in future years. During the second year, you should keep your harvesting minimal as well, only selecting well developed, thick spears to harvest. From the third year on, though, you should harvest the asparagus to your hearts delight!

Welcome to Perennial Vegetables

Perennial gardening is not just about flowers. There are many wonderful perennial vegetable species that return year after year, and any perennial or vegetable gardener should seriously consider adding perennial vegetables to their garden repertoire. This website is devoted to providing useful information on perennial vegetable gardening.

In the right hand column you will find links to a variety of articles written on perennial vegetables, as well as links to other perennial gardening pages.

To go to the main page of the perennial vegetable blog and read the most recent blog entry, please click here.

Happy gardening!