They may not be as sexy as some annuals, however perennial food plants make a whole lot of sense & they really help with putting the ‘perma’ in permaculture.
I’ve started assembling good information resources on these plants and hope to gradually accumulate perennials and incorporate them in the permaculture landscape that I am hoping to develop here.
I have found the following books to be a great starting point
Not every plant will be available in Australia or necessarily suited to the sub-tropical Brisbane climate but a great deal are.
At this stage I’ve planted asparagus, arrowroot, yacon, cassava, pigeon pea, edible bamboos and sorrel.
I’ve only just started putting together a perennial wish list – Jerusalem artichokes, chokos, yam, taro are all obvious contenders.
I’d be interested in hearing what you rate as your favourite or most valued perennial.
id give chokos the big heave ho- lol
Passionfruit – hands down, although I know they don’t last forever. They don’t seem to require any looking after once you’ve planted them with a dollop of blood and bone (or a fish carcass if you have one) and their yield is phenomenal. Roll on Passionfruit Cheesecake time.
[...] Perennial food plants Posted by admin on November 19, 2009 random They may not be as sexy as some annuals, however perennial food plants make a whole lot of sense & they really help with putting the ‘perma’ in permaculture. [...]
Check out the Vegetable Hummingbird tree that Sonya at Permaculture Pathways has just mentioned in her blog. Googling it is useful too.
Tulipwood
Thanks for that – I do visit Sonya’s blog regularly but had missed that post. I have just emailed Isabel Shipard and asked for her catalogue of herbs and plants. I see Daley’s have it for sale.
Brazilian spinach, garlic chives (lovely in omelettes), ceylon spinach, sweet potato (I use the leaves), kangkong… are some of the veges that never die off in my backyard.
Hi, One of my favourites is perennial basil – pest deterrent, bee attractant, and you have basil all year found. Also love ginger, yakon, tamarillos, brazilian spinach, mushroom plant, lebanese cress… not to mention all the fruit trees. Cheers, Sonya
Jerusalem artichokes .. definitely recommended.. though we lost most of ours in our move in june.. roasted with some oil and salt they are awesome.. perenials.. what about fruit trees!
asparagus – its unstoppable and reliable