Grow Once, Feast for Years: The UK Guide to Perennial Vegetables for Self-Sufficiency

For those in the UK looking to increase their self-sufficiency, perennial vegetables offer a practical and sustainable solution. Unlike annual crops, which require replanting each year, perennials return season after season, saving time, effort, and resources.

This guide will cover the best perennial vegetables suited to the UK climate, offering practical advice on cultivation, and demonstrating how they align with UKSN's core principles. We'll explore how these plants can contribute to long-term food security and community resilience, particularly within our Charter groups.

Why Perennial Vegetables?

Before we dive into specific varieties, let's explore the compelling reasons to embrace perennial vegetables:

• Reduced Labour: Unlike annuals, which require sowing, planting, and harvesting every year, perennials return year after year, saving you time and effort.

• Enhanced Soil Health: Perennial roots establish extensive networks, improving soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling.

• Biodiversity Boost: A diverse perennial garden provides habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators, creating a thriving ecosystem.

• Sustainable Food Source: Perennials are inherently more sustainable, requiring fewer inputs like fertilisers and pesticides.

• Resilience and Adaptability: Many perennial vegetables are hardy and adaptable, thriving in the UK's variable climate.

• Long-Term Investment: Planting perennials is an investment in your future food security, providing a reliable source of sustenance for years to come.

• Alignment with UKSN Principles: Perennial gardening dovetails perfectly with UKSN's focus on self-sufficiency, community support, and sustainable living.

Top Perennial Vegetables for the UK Climate:

Now, let's explore some of the best perennial vegetables that thrive in the UK climate:

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis):

A springtime delicacy, asparagus is a long-lived perennial that can produce spears for 20 years or more. Top Tips

• Asparagus prefers well-drained, sunny locations and rich, fertile soil.

• Plant established crowns in spring and be patient – it takes a few years to establish a productive crop.

• Harvest the spears when they are about 15-20cm tall, snapping them off at ground level.

Globe Artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus):

These architectural plants produce delicious flower buds that can be steamed, grilled, or baked.

Top Tips

• Globe Artichokes prefer sunny, sheltered locations and well-drained soil.

• Protect them from frost in colder regions by mulching heavily in winter.

• Harvest the buds before they open.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum):

A classic British perennial, rhubarb produces tart stems that are perfect for pies, crumbles, and jams. Top Tips

• Rhubarb thrives in cool, moist conditions and prefers rich, fertile soil.

• Avoid harvesting in the first year to allow the plant to establish.

• Only harvest stems and never the leaves, as they are poisonous.

Sea Kale (Crambe maritima):

A native British coastal plant, sea kale is a hardy perennial that tolerates salty conditions. Top Tips

• Sea Kale produces tender shoots and flower buds that can be steamed or blanched.

• It prefers well-drained, sandy soil and sunny locations.

• Can be blanched by covering with a pot to produce tender white shoots.

Perennial Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala):

There are various perennial kales, such as Daubenton's kale, that provide a constant source of leafy greens. Top Tips

• Perennial Kale is extremely hardy and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.

• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa):

This tangy herb adds a lemony flavour to soups, salads, and sauces. Top Tips

• Sorrel prefers cool, moist conditions and tolerates partial shade.

• Harvest leaves regularly to prevent bolting.

Walking Onions (Allium proliferum):

Also called tree onions, these unique onions produce bulbils at the top of their flowering stems. Top Tips

• These bulbils can be used for cooking or planted to produce new onions.

• Walking Onions are extremely hardy and easy to grow.

Jerusalem Artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus):

These sunflower relatives produce edible tubers that have a nutty flavour. Top Tips

• Jerusalem Artichokes are very hardy and can be grown in a wide range of soils.

• Be aware that they can be invasive, so choose a location where they can spread.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale):

This tall herb has a celery-like flavour and can be used in soups, stews, and sauces. Top Tips

• Lovage prefers moist, fertile soil and partial shade.

• It can grow quite large, so give it plenty of space.

Cultivating Perennial Vegetables in the UK:

• Soil Preparation: Most perennial vegetables prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

• Planting Time: The best time to plant perennials is generally in spring or autumn, when the soil is warm and moist.

• Spacing: Allow adequate spacing between plants to accommodate their mature size.

• Mulching: Mulching helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

• Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to ensure healthy growth.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to promote vigorous growth.

• Pest and Disease Control: Monitor your plants for pests and diseases, and take appropriate action.

• Winter Protection: Protect frost-sensitive plants with mulch or fleece during winter.

• Division: Many perennials can be divided every few years to rejuvenate them and create new plants.

Perennial Vegetables and UKSN Charters:

For UKSN Charters, perennial vegetables offer a valuable resource for mutual assistance and food security. Imagine a Charter garden where members contribute to and benefit from a shared source of perennial produce. This fosters a sense of community and resilience.

• Charter members could share knowledge and skills related to perennial vegetable cultivation.

• Charters could establish communal gardens or orchards, providing a shared food source.

• Perennial produce could be preserved and shared among members, enhancing food security.

• Charters could hold workshops, teaching members how to grow, harvest and preserve perennial vegetables.

Conclusion:

Embracing perennial vegetables is a rewarding and sustainable way to enhance your self-sufficiency and connect with the natural world. For UKSN members, it aligns perfectly with our ethos of resilience, community, and sustainable living. By incorporating these resilient plants into your garden, you can create a thriving ecosystem that provides a reliable source of food for years to come. So, get out there, get your hands dirty, and start growing your own perennial feast!