Welcome to our guide on perennial vegetables, the hidden gems of your garden that keep on giving year after year. If you’re a Minnesota gardener looking to maximize your harvest with minimal effort, perennial vegetables are your best friends. These resilient plants not only save you time and energy but also offer an array of flavors and nutrients to elevate your culinary adventures. In this blog post, we’ll delve into a variety of perennial vegetables suitable for Minnesota’s climate, including well-known favorites like asparagus and rhubarb, as well as some lesser-known delights.
Asparagus
Let’s start with a classic favorite – asparagus. Asparagus thrives in Minnesota’s climate and soil conditions. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and you’ll be rewarded with tender spears every spring for years to come. Asparagus requires patience as it takes a few years to establish a productive patch, but the wait is undoubtedly worth it.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb, with its tart flavor and vibrant color, is another must-have perennial for Minnesota gardeners. This hardy plant is incredibly versatile, perfect for pies, jams, sauces, and even savory dishes. Plant rhubarb in a sunny or partially shaded area with rich, well-drained soil, and enjoy its bountiful harvest throughout the growing season. It is important to note that only stems are edible, other plant parts are poisonous.
Artichokes (Globe and Jerusalem)
While artichokes may seem exotic, both globe and Jerusalem artichokes can thrive in Minnesota’s climate with a little care. Globe artichokes produce delicious flower buds, while Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, produce edible tubers. Plant them in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil, and you’ll have a unique addition to your garden and dinner table.
Horseradish
Horseradish adds a spicy kick to dishes and is surprisingly easy to grow in Minnesota. Plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil, and you’ll have pungent roots ready for harvest in the fall. Be warned, though – horseradish can be invasive, so consider planting it in a contained area or using a barrier to prevent it from spreading.
Chives
Chives are a versatile herb that adds a delicate onion flavor to a wide range of dishes. These hardy perennials are incredibly easy to grow in Minnesota, thriving in both sunny and partially shaded areas. Plant chives in well-drained soil, and you’ll have a steady supply of fresh greens for your kitchen all year round. Chives are a lovely addition to salads, sauces, or dried for seasonings. Aside from its primary use as an edible, Chives is suitable for the following landscape applications, boarder edging, general garden use, herb gardens, and container planting.
Sorrel
Sorrel is a lesser-known perennial green with a tangy, lemony flavor. It’s perfect for salads, soups, and sauces, and it’s surprisingly cold-hardy, making it well-suited to Minnesota’s climate. Plant sorrel in a sunny or partially shaded spot with moist, well-drained soil, and enjoy its refreshing taste throughout the growing season.
Kale
Kale, with its nutrient-packed leaves, is a powerhouse of flavor and health benefits. While traditionally grown as an annual, certain varieties of kale, such as Siberian kale, can behave as perennials in colder climates like Minnesota. Plant kale in a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil, and you may find it coming back year after year.
Ramps (Wild Leeks)
Ramps, also known as wild leeks, are prized for their pungent flavor and culinary versatility. These wild perennials are native to woodland areas and thrive in the dappled shade of Minnesota forests. Plant ramps in a moist, well-drained spot with rich, organic soil, and you’ll have a forager’s delight right in your backyard.
Lovage
Lovage is an underrated herb with a flavor reminiscent of celery and parsley. This hardy perennial thrives in Minnesota’s climate, producing aromatic leaves and stalks that add depth to soups, stews, and salads. Plant lovage in a sunny or partially shaded location with moist, well-drained soil, and enjoy its culinary charms year after year.
Egyptian Walking Onions
Egyptian walking onions, also known as tree onions, are a fascinating addition to any garden. These perennial onions produce clusters of bulblets on top of tall stalks, giving them a unique appearance. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and watch as they multiply and “walk” around your garden, providing you with a perpetual harvest of fresh green onions.
Sea Kale
Sea kale is a coastal plant that thrives in sandy, salty soils, making it well-suited to Minnesota’s climate. This perennial vegetable produces tender shoots and edible leaves with a mild, cabbage-like flavor. Plant sea kale in a sunny spot with well-drained, sandy soil, and enjoy its delicate taste and striking appearance in your garden.
Chinese Watercress
Chinese watercress is a nutritious green with a peppery flavor that adds a zing to salads and stir-fries. While traditionally grown as an annual, Chinese watercress can behave as a perennial in waterlogged conditions, making it an excellent choice for Minnesota’s wetter areas. Plant it in a sunny location with moist, fertile soil, and enjoy its vibrant green leaves year-round.
Good King Henry
Good King Henry, also known as poor man’s asparagus, is a lesser-known perennial green with a mild, spinach-like flavor. This resilient plant thrives in poor soil and partial shade, making it well-suited to Minnesota’s challenging growing conditions. Plant Good King Henry in a well-drained spot with minimal maintenance, and enjoy its nutritious greens throughout the growing season.
With these perennial vegetables in your garden, you can enjoy a diverse and delicious harvest year-round without the hassle of replanting every season. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, growing perennial vegetables in Minnesota is a rewarding experience that brings fresh flavors and sustainable abundance to your table. So roll up your sleeves, dig in the dirt, and let your perennial garden thrive!