Perennial Vegetables To Grow In The UK

18 February 2021 bulbandharvest Bulb & Harvest, Vegetables Comments Off on Perennial Vegetables To Grow In The UK

Those not familiar with gardening could easily believe that all plants provide crops every year, once planted. Whilst most fruits do come back season after season (perennial), most vegetables are a 1 season plant (annual). But, there are a few perennial vegetables to grow in the UK.

We love growing perennial vegetables here in the UK as they are relatively easy to grow. No messing around with seeds, hardening off, messy windowsills whilst you wait for seeds to germinate. Just a case of growing for the first year and then enjoy the crops year after year. They are also great for producing crops in the quieter periods of the year, such as late Autumn and into Winter.

Perennial Vegetables To Grow In The UK

1. Artichokes (Jerusalem & Globe)

Globe artichokes - Perennial Vegetables To Grow In The UK

Jerusalem Artichoke are not truly an artichoke, they are actually a relative of the sunflower. The names stems from the Italian word for sunflower; girasole. Above ground the plant produces cheery yellow flowers but underground the plant produce lumpy, brown-skinned tubers that often resembles a ginger root. The tubers can be eaten cooked or raw and are nutty, sweet and crunchy, whilst being a good source of iron. If planted in early to mid Spring, then the crop can be harvested in November or later.

The globe artichoke is no relation to the tuber-like Jerusalem artichoke, it is considered to be a ‘true’ artichoke and is the bud of a large member of the thistle family.

What makes the globe artichoke edible is the flowerhead before they are open up. The tender ends of the leaves and the base (or ‘heart’) of the bud are both edible; the tough outside leaves and the furry central choke and its surrounding leaves aren’t.

2. Asparagus

Grilled with some salt and pepper, asparagus are a delicious addition to any meal. With one plant providing a crop for 20 years, it’s a great addition to any UK vegetable batch. Asparagus is ready to harvest two years after planting one-year-old crowns, but it’s worth the wait.

3. Egyptian Walking Onion

Egyptian Walking Onion - Perennial Vegetables To Grow In The UK

This perennial vegetable can be seen ‘walking’ around your vegetable plot. The end of a leaf stalk, feature a cluster of bulbils. Throughout the growing season, the stems dry out and fall to the ground. Once fallen, the bulbils can take root and grow into new plants. The original plant will produce a shallot-like bulbs that you can eat. It can be hit or miss in the first year as to whether the plant will produce any bulbils so just bare with the plant.

4. Skirret

Skirret is a plant whose roots and stems are edible. The thin white roots, once cooked, possess a sweet flavour of carrots, parsnips with a hint of pepper, but a texture similar to potatoes. Believed to originate from China, it is now commonly used in Europe as far back as the Roman empire where it was prized for its natural sweetness.

Sow from seed or plant a one-year old crown. In summer the plant produces heads of lacy white flowers which are popular with bees and butterflies. Harvest the roots in autumn but make sure to leave the rest to grow on into new plants. Eat raw or fried or in a soup.