Pardon my plugged nose in this video–allergy season. 😉
I’m currently working on planting perennials to allow their root systems plenty of time to establish before the first frost. This year I’m adding some new-to-me varieties!
9-Star Broccoli
A perennial sprouting style broccoli that looks like cauliflower. It can provide abundant harvests for about 5 years. Hardy in down to zone 7.
Longleaf Groundcherry
A perennial groundcherry that thrives between zones 4-8. Their husked fruits can be eaten raw or cooked and are said to taste like pineapple. I’ve never tried one!
You can check out the perennial spinach, collards, and kale along with ever-returning crops in my earlier posts.
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