In addition to my favorite annual greens, I’m adding perennials. Here’s a few ideas for perennial greens:
– Tree Collards (green and purple), zone 5+
– Okinawa spinach, zone 9-11
– Perennial/Perpetual Kale, zone 6-9 (Kosmic or Daubenton’s variety)
– Walking Stick kale, zone 6-9
– Sea Kale, zone 6-9
– Good King Henry spinach, zone 3-9
– Watercress, zone 5+
Using perennial plants in place of—or in addition to —annuals is an easy way to start working permaculture practices into your growing spaces. Here’s why:
– Less work
– Better for the soil as nutrients are pulled deeper and larger root systems loosen the earth
– Better for the environment as more carbon dioxide is absorbed and held within woody plant matter/denser tissues
– Better for natural insect control as birds and other predators of “bad bugs” have a permanent place to build their homes
-Perennials enhance soil structure
Want to see more perennial swap outs? Check out the Guides tab for other ideas I’ve saved.