Perennial Vegetables
Perennial vegetables ask for patience upfront — asparagus needs a year or two before its first harvest — but repay it with years of production from the same bed. These 5 guides cover the establishment period each one needs before it hits its stride.
Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis · Asparagus family
Globe Artichoke
Cynara cardunculus · Daisy family
Horseradish
Armoracia rusticana · Brassica family
Perennial Leek
Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii · Onion family
Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum · Buckwheat family
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until a perennial vegetable bed is actually productive?
Most perennial vegetables need patience — asparagus shouldn't be harvested at all in the first two years, for example. The trade-off is a bed that then keeps producing for 15–20 years with comparatively little ongoing work.
Can perennial vegetables be moved once established?
Generally not well — most develop deep or extensive root systems specifically because they're meant to stay put. Choose the permanent site carefully before planting rather than expecting to relocate later.