When we first moved onto the property we are caretaking (way back in 2018!), I didn’t put in perennials beyond an herb garden because we were looking at a three-year agreement and it didn’t makes sense to my short-term thinking at the time.
Well, Present Me is now kicking Past Me for not being more proactive in 2018 and 2019 because here we are in 2025 and I’m still adding in more and more nutrient dense perennials to this same beautiful property with each season that passes.
Slowly, year by year, we’ve added in a few perennials as we’ve invested more in the land, gained a deeper understanding of our micro-climate, and have grown more and more secure in our agreement with our landlords, including asparagus, strawberries, and rhubarb, to name a few.
While all herbs, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are wonderful in their own right, there are some that grow well here in the High Desert and some that do not…
Just as there are some that are easier to grow than others…
And just as there are some that we don’t like and therefore won’t eat even if they did grow well and easy enough.
So, as we’re sliding into Spring (rather quickly, despite my protests) and through the beginning of some very uncertain political and environmental challenges, we’re thinking again about what we can add into the garden and onto the property that pack the densest nutrient punch possible.
A quick google search offers up the following nutrient dense perennial (in some climates) fruits & vegetables:
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb
- Artichoke
- Strawberry
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Walking onion
- Sorrel
- Horseradish
- Radicchio
- Watercress
- Curly kale
- Strawberry
- Onions
- Sea kale
- Sweet potatoes
- Blueberries
- Chives
- Daylilies
- Garlic
- Lovage
- Scarlet runner bean
- Dandelion
Many of these are already staples in our garden or on the larger planting areas of the property (italicized in the above list), but I have decided to add a few newbies into the mix from the above list, including:
- Walking onions (in the Fall)
- Sorrel
- Horseradish
- Sweet potatoes
Those that do not behave as perennials in our high desert, four season climate will be treated tenderly so as to bring them forward into next year as best as we can.
As our Landlords continue to think longer term with this property, I am hoping we can convince them to add a few nut trees and maybe some Jujubes to the mix.
Time will tell, but while the world at large and the US, specifically, seem to de-stabilize more and more by the day, having a little more control over our food security feels like an important step to take.
Now, if I could just get my hands some a new batch of chicks, we’d be all set. But that’s a story for another day.
I hope you are well and taking steps that help you feel hopeful and empowered about the seasons in front of us, no matter which way the wind blows. If you’re planning out your garden or new plantings, I’d love to hear about it! Truly, I’d love to hear from you no matter what your plans are for the future. We’re in this together.
Onward,
Melissa
