Most vegetables that we buy in the supermarket, or even the farmers market, are annuals or, at least, they are grown that way. Annual vegetables are those that we must sow and grow from seed each year. We all have our favorites, be them lettuces or winter squashes or fresh garden peas, and they make up the bulk of the vegetables in the modern diet, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice.
On the other hand, perennial plants are those that produce for more than two years, and we generally eat them more in the form a fruit, such as apples, oranges, blueberries, and so on. (Not all fruit — cantaloupe, watermelon, etc. — are perennial, but many are.) There are, however, perennial vegetables as well, ones that can potentially provide years of harvesting rather than having to start from scratch every year.
1. Tomatoes
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Believe or not, and despite common practice, tomatoes are actually perennial plants, and they can grow for years, supplying fresh tomatoes throughout that lifespan. The big problem, however, is that tomatoes are actually a tropical plant, so they can’t survive a frigid winter. The solution could be growing them in a greenhouse or putting them in containers that move indoors during the winter.
2. Peppers
Peppers, in the same family as tomatoes, are actually perennial as well. Again, the issue becomes the wintertime chills, which peppers do not like, so they, too, will need a place in the greenhouse or in a nice window. The good news, though, is that there are so many varieties of peppers to enjoy. Habaneros, the super spicy kind, are said to “overwinter” very well.
3. Eggplant
Okay, yet again, we are pulling something out of the nightshade family (the same as tomatoes and peppers) and growing some perennial eggplants. This, of course, isn’t the standard way on most farms, as eggplants are typically treated like annual, but they are perennial plants and will continue to provide vegetables if they are to survive the frost.
4. Okra
Okra, a Louisiana favorite, and another heat-loving plant, is also a perennial vegetable, and it puts out a ton of food. In fact, an okra plant can reach up to seven feet high if it is loved right. The trick to dealing with okra is that it must be picked early and often. If it is left on the plant too long, it begins to become fibrous and woody.
5. Chayote Squash
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Chayote goes by many names (mirliton, chocho, chuchu, vegetable pear, etc.), but they are all the same: This is fantastic squash that grows on a massive vine, perfect for covering a pergola in the summer (when shade is needed) and then dying back in winter (when sun is needed). In the winter, just mulch the area where it grows to keep the soil warm, and it should return again when things heat back up.
6. Jerusalem Artichoke
Jerusalem artichokes have been becoming more and more popular lately, and that’s a great thing. They are used similar to potatoes (they are also roots), though they can be eaten raw as well. These require a little bit of special attention as they are prolific growers and spreaders once established, so they might need a container and specific bed dedicated to them.
7. Horseradish
This one is possible in a variety of climates, and it is a very hardy plant. The roots, what we eat, are harvested in the fall and winter, and they have a serious warming effect on dishes to which they are added. Otherwise, horseradish is a great addition to gardens for the medicinal qualities (good for clearing the sniffles), and it can also be used to make a natural fungicide for other plants.
8. Onions/Leeks
This is not true for all onions and leeks, but there are certain varieties that grow perennial, and why on earth would we choose to use them? It would save us having to plant and nature little onion and leek seedling every year. Look out for these species to put in your garden: Perulite (Allium cepa), Egyptian walking onions, (Allium proliferum), and the aptly named perennial leeks.
9. Radicchio
Adding a dash more color to our list, radicchio — sometimes known as Italian chicory — is a favorite addition to salads and slaws. It’s similar to cabbage. It likes full sun and comfortable temperatures. Once established in a garden, it will return every spring and fall to provide some food for the table.
10. Kale
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With no grand introduction needed, kale has made quite the name for itself amongst the “green” smoothie and juicing crowded. It’s loaded with nutrients, and the plants in the garden are generally loaded with leaves (just pick them as needed). Technically, it is a biennial, with a life span of two years, but it makes the list because it’s super crop for cold weather.
Growing perennial vegetables is great way to make the most of garden space. Once established, they tend to be hardy (maybe not the tomatoes), and they produce a lot food for a lot less effort, both from the environment and the gardener.
