Perennial Vegetables refer to those vegetables which you need to plant once and can harvest for several years. Plants such as Asparagus, Banana, and Artichokes are few of the examples of these wide ranges of plants. In this article we will try to bring out reasons why a Gardener should be thinking about planting more and more perennials in his/her garden. So let’s look at some of the inherent advantages of growing perennials.
Benefits of Perennial vegetables:
1. Low maintenance: In contrast with the annual vegetables, once a perennial vegetable got established in your garden i.e. if the weather and soil suit its requirements, there is hardly anything you need to do. They are much more resistant to pests and other diseases and are much more self sufficient in terms of watering and also in weed protection.
2. Great for improving soil quality: As they live for many more years than the annual vegetables, they tend to improve the quality of the soil by providing organic materials (decomposed roots and leaves) over the time period. It is generally found that the soil nearby to the perennial plant is much more fertile in comparison with the annuals.
3. Prevents soil erosion: Tillage is one of the main causes of soil erosion. Loose soil erodes very quickly by wind, rain etc. Tillage also harms and kills many beneficial worms of your garden soil. Once you shifted from annual to perennial vegetables you don’t need to till the soil every year.
4. Helps in maintaining proper balance of the Ecosystem: Perennial plants generally provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of animals. Many of them are essential for your gardening success. Perennial trees make an area much cooler by providing shade and releasing moisture in the air. A large set of these types of trees can change the climate of your area locally.
5. A far longer harvesting season: In most of the cases a perennial plant will offer you vegetables more times a year than your annual vegetable. When it coupled with a long lasting lifespan, its benefits doubles. It provides food during the time of the year when there is very little to get from any of the annuals.
6. Miscellaneous benefits: Some of the perennial plants are ornamental. They will provide attractive landscapes with edibility features. Some of them are nitrogen fixative in nature which will not only help them to generate their own fertilizer but also help other plants in the garden.
Now shift to the other side of the story. Here are some points which might make you think again about going all the way with perennials:
Sometimes the low maintenance features of these plants can create weed problem due to their intensive growth.
Some of the perennial plants have a very strong flavor compared to their annual counterpart which made people to avoid them.
Vegetables like Asparagus are very slow to grow and only after some years you will notice a good yield.
Having said that, you need to remember, perennial vegetables are not meant to replace annual vegetables. The best way to use them is to compliment your annual vegetables. An optimum mix of perennials and annuals will give you uninterrupted supply of foods and vegetables through out your life time.
Did you like the article? Share your views with us. If you think this will help somebody; please feel free to share.
Benefits of Perennial vegetables:
1. Low maintenance: In contrast with the annual vegetables, once a perennial vegetable got established in your garden i.e. if the weather and soil suit its requirements, there is hardly anything you need to do. They are much more resistant to pests and other diseases and are much more self sufficient in terms of watering and also in weed protection.
2. Great for improving soil quality: As they live for many more years than the annual vegetables, they tend to improve the quality of the soil by providing organic materials (decomposed roots and leaves) over the time period. It is generally found that the soil nearby to the perennial plant is much more fertile in comparison with the annuals.
3. Prevents soil erosion: Tillage is one of the main causes of soil erosion. Loose soil erodes very quickly by wind, rain etc. Tillage also harms and kills many beneficial worms of your garden soil. Once you shifted from annual to perennial vegetables you don’t need to till the soil every year.
4. Helps in maintaining proper balance of the Ecosystem: Perennial plants generally provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of animals. Many of them are essential for your gardening success. Perennial trees make an area much cooler by providing shade and releasing moisture in the air. A large set of these types of trees can change the climate of your area locally.
5. A far longer harvesting season: In most of the cases a perennial plant will offer you vegetables more times a year than your annual vegetable. When it coupled with a long lasting lifespan, its benefits doubles. It provides food during the time of the year when there is very little to get from any of the annuals.
6. Miscellaneous benefits: Some of the perennial plants are ornamental. They will provide attractive landscapes with edibility features. Some of them are nitrogen fixative in nature which will not only help them to generate their own fertilizer but also help other plants in the garden.
Now shift to the other side of the story. Here are some points which might make you think again about going all the way with perennials:
Sometimes the low maintenance features of these plants can create weed problem due to their intensive growth.
Some of the perennial plants have a very strong flavor compared to their annual counterpart which made people to avoid them.
Vegetables like Asparagus are very slow to grow and only after some years you will notice a good yield.
Having said that, you need to remember, perennial vegetables are not meant to replace annual vegetables. The best way to use them is to compliment your annual vegetables. An optimum mix of perennials and annuals will give you uninterrupted supply of foods and vegetables through out your life time.
Did you like the article? Share your views with us. If you think this will help somebody; please feel free to share.
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