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Perennial Vegetables: From Artichoke to Zuiki Taro, a Gardener's Guide to Over 100 Delicious, Easy-to-grow Edibles
There is a fantastic array of vegetables you can grow in your garden, and not all of them are annuals. In Perennial Vegetables the adventurous gardener will find information, tips, and sound advice on less common edibles that will make any garden a perpetual, low-maintenance source of food.
Imagine growing vegetables that require just about the same amount of care as the flowers in your perennial beds and borders--no annual tilling and potting and planting. They thrive and produce abundant and nutritious crops throughout the season. It sounds too good to be true, but in Perennial Vegetables author and plant specialist Eric Toensmeier (Edible Forest Gardens) introduces gardeners to a world of little-known and wholly underappreciated plants. Ranging beyond the usual suspects (asparagus, rhubarb, and artichoke) to include such -minor- crops as ground cherry and ramps (both of which have found their way onto exclusive restaurant menus) and the much sought after, anti-oxidant-rich wolfberry (also known as goji berries), Toensmeier explains how to raise, tend, harvest, and cook with plants that yield great crops and satisfaction.
Perennial vegetables are perfect as part of an edible landscape plan or permaculture garden. Profiling more than 100 species, illustrated with dozens of color photographs and illustrations, and filled with valuable growing tips, recipes, and resources, Perennial Vegetables is a groundbreaking and ground-healing book that will open the eyes of gardeners everywhere to the exciting world of edible perennials.
Imagine growing vegetables that require just about the same amount of care as the flowers in your perennial beds and borders--no annual tilling and potting and planting. They thrive and produce abundant and nutritious crops throughout the season. It sounds too good to be true, but in Perennial Vegetables author and plant specialist Eric Toensmeier (Edible Forest Gardens) introduces gardeners to a world of little-known and wholly underappreciated plants. Ranging beyond the usual suspects (asparagus, rhubarb, and artichoke) to include such -minor- crops as ground cherry and ramps (both of which have found their way onto exclusive restaurant menus) and the much sought after, anti-oxidant-rich wolfberry (also known as goji berries), Toensmeier explains how to raise, tend, harvest, and cook with plants that yield great crops and satisfaction.
Perennial vegetables are perfect as part of an edible landscape plan or permaculture garden. Profiling more than 100 species, illustrated with dozens of color photographs and illustrations, and filled with valuable growing tips, recipes, and resources, Perennial Vegetables is a groundbreaking and ground-healing book that will open the eyes of gardeners everywhere to the exciting world of edible perennials.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 1, 2011
This book is fantastic. I got it from the library, but I can imagine referring to it frequently enough to justify buying it. I put off reading this book for a long time because I thought that it would be focused mostly on tropical plants that do well in, say, California. Or Florida. Places that get hours of heat that I can't even imagine. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author accomodates all different climates and regions, with consideration for minimum and maximum temperatures, as well as water availability, sunlight, etc.
The author offers advice on cultivation, varieties, harvest and cooking. This is an all-around excellent reference book that serves to round out this neglected area of my knowledgebase.
Toensmeier makes a convincing case for a gardener to consider adding some of these weird crops. They are generally lower-maintenance than annual crops. Most bear for many years with little intervention or effort beyond weeding, mulching and side-dressing with compost. It's better for the soil if you don't till and disturb the soil structure every year. It's cheaper. It's easier physical labor (easier on your back to skip all that digging). It's more sustainable and takes less money and work. We should all be doing it, right?
The obstacles, of course, are that a lot of these vegetables are foreign to our taste buds and it will take some work for us to get used to the idea of eating them. I can buy sunchokes at the farmers market (and in fact I have -- and in fact, I grow them now) but some of these plants I have never even heard of, nevermind purchased, cooked, eaten or grown. Another obstacle is that introducing non-native species may result in species that will become too successful in their perennializing - i.e. become invasive. The author raises the question of invasive plants / native superiority. I've read about this other places (don't hate them just because they aren't from here. native plants may not be suited anymore in a world that is disrupted, paved, global, etc.), which was interesting to read.
Overall, I will probably go through the recommended resources of this book & refer back to this for years to come. I loved reading this.
The author offers advice on cultivation, varieties, harvest and cooking. This is an all-around excellent reference book that serves to round out this neglected area of my knowledgebase.
Toensmeier makes a convincing case for a gardener to consider adding some of these weird crops. They are generally lower-maintenance than annual crops. Most bear for many years with little intervention or effort beyond weeding, mulching and side-dressing with compost. It's better for the soil if you don't till and disturb the soil structure every year. It's cheaper. It's easier physical labor (easier on your back to skip all that digging). It's more sustainable and takes less money and work. We should all be doing it, right?
The obstacles, of course, are that a lot of these vegetables are foreign to our taste buds and it will take some work for us to get used to the idea of eating them. I can buy sunchokes at the farmers market (and in fact I have -- and in fact, I grow them now) but some of these plants I have never even heard of, nevermind purchased, cooked, eaten or grown. Another obstacle is that introducing non-native species may result in species that will become too successful in their perennializing - i.e. become invasive. The author raises the question of invasive plants / native superiority. I've read about this other places (don't hate them just because they aren't from here. native plants may not be suited anymore in a world that is disrupted, paved, global, etc.), which was interesting to read.
Overall, I will probably go through the recommended resources of this book & refer back to this for years to come. I loved reading this.
February 20, 2014
I thought I had read most ideas about growing food already, but this is something different. The author introduces many unfamiliar perennial vegetables as well as the well-known asparagus and artichoke. He is quite right that perennial things are a lot less effort and require less watering than annual vegies. Very interesting and controversial ideas about growing weedy/invasive species.
Things I would like to try in my temperate climate are:
Water celery
Air potato
Saltbush
Turkish rocket - bunias orientalis
Sea kale - crambe maritima
Groundnut - aspios americana
Oca tubers - oxalis tuberosa
Bamboo shoots
Cape gooseberry
Garlic chives
Arrowhead - saggitaria latifolia
Things I would like to try in my temperate climate are:
Water celery
Air potato
Saltbush
Turkish rocket - bunias orientalis
Sea kale - crambe maritima
Groundnut - aspios americana
Oca tubers - oxalis tuberosa
Bamboo shoots
Cape gooseberry
Garlic chives
Arrowhead - saggitaria latifolia
October 18, 2019
An excellent comprehensive guide to growing and using perennial vegetables, many of which are unknown to wider public.
March 11, 2017
This is a great book to include in garden planning, particularly if you want to create a low maintenance garden. Toensmeier has compiled information for plants that will thrive and produce for several consecutive years. Although many of these are only annuals in the northern portions of North America, he makes a point of including hardier plants as well. The fact that he considers Canadian gardeners was definitely an aspect I appreciated.
Each plant description provides a map outlining where the plant grows as a perennial or an annual, the family it belongs to, how to grow, care for and harvest it. The other defining aspect of this book is that Toensmeier outlines breeding opportunities to improve the existing perennial varieties. Since not a lot of emphasis has been placed on perennial crops there's a lot of potential for creating improved varieties (for hardiness, taste etc.).
If you're planning on creating an edible landscape with low-maintenance plants then this is a wonderful book! Beyond its own merits, the book also provides a collection of additional resources to reference.
Each plant description provides a map outlining where the plant grows as a perennial or an annual, the family it belongs to, how to grow, care for and harvest it. The other defining aspect of this book is that Toensmeier outlines breeding opportunities to improve the existing perennial varieties. Since not a lot of emphasis has been placed on perennial crops there's a lot of potential for creating improved varieties (for hardiness, taste etc.).
If you're planning on creating an edible landscape with low-maintenance plants then this is a wonderful book! Beyond its own merits, the book also provides a collection of additional resources to reference.
June 2, 2012
This book is great. The author has collected a list of perennial vegetables that can be grown in the US, and he describes their characteristics and uses. The advantage of perennial vegetables over annuals is that they often require less effort to grow, especially once they are established. Sounds good to me, a neglectful gardener. Some perennial vegetables that I would like to grow include: asparagus, ramps, potato onions, sunchoke/Jerusalem artichoke, and sorrel. There are some great edible aquatic plants too--the author grew an awesome aquatic garden in a $10 kiddie swimming pool, and bought a few cheap goldfish every year to eat the mosquito larvae. This book is a great resource, and it has also inspired me to go out and "harvest" my dandelions. :) I think I may buy a copy to keep as a resource.
April 5, 2010
This book was informative, and easy to read and understand. I don't know anything about gardening but I found the book simple enough that it was not confusing, but at the same time it gave a lot of great info on veggies I now want to try and grow.
I loved that the book was clearly labeled and that each veggie had a picture to go along with it.
I loved that the book was clearly labeled and that each veggie had a picture to go along with it.
November 14, 2015
Detailed and well organized.
A fair amount of the plants profiled here can only be grown as perennials in the southern US, but there is a good variety of plants for northern areas as well.
I appreciated the discussion of the issue of exotic invasives.
I'll refer to this again as I develop the garden at my new home.
A fair amount of the plants profiled here can only be grown as perennials in the southern US, but there is a good variety of plants for northern areas as well.
I appreciated the discussion of the issue of exotic invasives.
I'll refer to this again as I develop the garden at my new home.
January 7, 2017
Great resource. Some complain about the preponderance of tropicals, but that's life. I've been into growing edibles for years and learned a ton from this book. Plus there was a whole water garden component that I didn't expect and that was very interesting. Will be an on-going reference book for me and I look forward to experimenting with the perennials and those I can only try as annuals too.
January 7, 2011
I don't know about this book. Aside from the vegetables you already know about--asparagus, sweet potatoes, et. al--most of the plants he mentions are tropical or invasive. I did learn about a plant or two, but still, I guess there is a reason most people don't plant perennial vegetables.
October 30, 2012
I definitely learned about some intriguing perennial vegetables that I had no idea would grow in our climate. Oh, let's be honest. I had no idea that they even existed. That said, I'm going to make sure I right a list down before I return this book to the library. I was a little disappointed that a lot of the vegetables he mentioned -wouldn't- grow in our climate, but there were still a lot of interesting tidbits and points to pick up from the rest of it. For example: I had no idea that asparagus was in the same plant family as lilies. I mean, it basically -is- a lily. And hearing the author talk about crossbreeding of different plants, and how broccoli and all these different things we are accustomed to eating were selectively bred from one family, and what the possibilities are for new cultivars, et cetera... perhaps it's a bit geekish of me (especially considering I've never successfully gardened more than a single raised bed), but I thought it was very interesting. Also, he has devoted an entire section of the book to resources: other books to read, groups to contact, seed companies, places to get supplies, et cetera. You could've sold me on that alone. :)
December 19, 2017
Good: Thorough reference with good plant information. Lots of common and uncommon species discussed. Generally pretty good growing information and some culinary information.
Bad: Seems a little dated. Some of the entries are listed more for the possibility of improved cultivars in the future, which isn't all that useful to a gardener looking to plant now (unless you are aiming to undertake an ambitious breeding program). Not comprehensive—I discovered a number of enticing options in the similar Martin Crawford book that weren't discussed here.
Overall a solid book and good reference. I purchased a copy after first checking it out from the library, and plan to use it as the point of first reference for most of my more unusual gardening experiments.
Bad: Seems a little dated. Some of the entries are listed more for the possibility of improved cultivars in the future, which isn't all that useful to a gardener looking to plant now (unless you are aiming to undertake an ambitious breeding program). Not comprehensive—I discovered a number of enticing options in the similar Martin Crawford book that weren't discussed here.
Overall a solid book and good reference. I purchased a copy after first checking it out from the library, and plan to use it as the point of first reference for most of my more unusual gardening experiments.
February 21, 2020
Useful little book. The first half introduces perennial vegetables as a class of plant and goes over various ways to design them into your garden.
The second part was more interesting to me. It is a catalogue of plant profiles - the kind you end up referencing for years. What I especially liked was how Toensmeir organized the plants by family (eg Alliaceae: The Onion Family, Asteraceae: The Aster Family, etc). This makes the reference more practical because it guides one's design thinking.
I recommend this for gardening book enthusiasts. It is nicely produced and clearly organized. However, there just isn't too much new information for the experienced gardener.
The second part was more interesting to me. It is a catalogue of plant profiles - the kind you end up referencing for years. What I especially liked was how Toensmeir organized the plants by family (eg Alliaceae: The Onion Family, Asteraceae: The Aster Family, etc). This makes the reference more practical because it guides one's design thinking.
I recommend this for gardening book enthusiasts. It is nicely produced and clearly organized. However, there just isn't too much new information for the experienced gardener.
January 30, 2011
The first third of the book is just basic information, but the rest is wonderful profiles on other 100 perennial vegetables that you'll see mentioned in passing in lots of books. This is the book to turn to for more information. Read some highlights of Perennial Vegetables on my blog.
March 21, 2012
The second section of this book, species profiles, is very useful. After reading it, my husband and I planted ostrich fern and Solomon's seal, both decorative, edible, native plants. Score.
This introduced me to all sorts of plants I had never heard of, and made me think of others in new ways. Another winner from Chelsea Green. I think I am going to buy this.
This introduced me to all sorts of plants I had never heard of, and made me think of others in new ways. Another winner from Chelsea Green. I think I am going to buy this.
March 3, 2010
Good book, but watch out as some of the plants he suggests are invasive.
January 26, 2021
Overall, have positive vibes and have already recommended this book to a few people. I was mainly looking for perennials in New England of which there aren't unfortunately aren't too many, so I skimmed through a lot of this.
I appreciate the commentary on which plants are easier or harder to grow (perennially), notes on how to cook, suggestions on breeding, and the occasional recipes. There are several entries that will be perennial for every state of the US, so I would recommend borrowing it and flipping through to find the ones relevant to you before purchase. Some of the recipe suggestions for a plant you can't grow might inspire something for something you can.
I did get annoyed that some entries didn't seem to note if the plant was native or not, but that could have been an issue with the e-book format and it may be more clear in a hard copy.
I appreciate the commentary on which plants are easier or harder to grow (perennially), notes on how to cook, suggestions on breeding, and the occasional recipes. There are several entries that will be perennial for every state of the US, so I would recommend borrowing it and flipping through to find the ones relevant to you before purchase. Some of the recipe suggestions for a plant you can't grow might inspire something for something you can.
I did get annoyed that some entries didn't seem to note if the plant was native or not, but that could have been an issue with the e-book format and it may be more clear in a hard copy.
February 15, 2021
I was disappointed that the author consistently criticized the use of native plants throughout the book, and recommended many invasive plants even though he admitted they are extremely invasive. I am not a native plant purist, but his defensive tone was extremely off putting, and I was frustrated that he chose to recommend horribly invasive plants to gardeners who might not know better.
As far as the actual plant guides, it wasn’t anything I hadn’t encountered online. Some of the plant profiles were helpful, but it was a jumbled format overall. I’m glad I didn’t purchase this book, and I wouldn’t recommend it— there are other books that cover similar material but don’t dismiss native plants and criticize scientists and the general public who advocate for their importance and use.
As far as the actual plant guides, it wasn’t anything I hadn’t encountered online. Some of the plant profiles were helpful, but it was a jumbled format overall. I’m glad I didn’t purchase this book, and I wouldn’t recommend it— there are other books that cover similar material but don’t dismiss native plants and criticize scientists and the general public who advocate for their importance and use.
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June 23, 2023There's quite a few points of contention discussed in other reviews, the most relevant imo being high utility for south florida/pacific coastal gardeners, but low utility for cool temperate gardeners, and the ideological stance on natives vs non-natives vs invasives. I would not hold either against the book, which is a really comprehensive look at perenial vegetables as plants, and from a grower's perspective (not a chef's, or eater's.) Not too keen on the layout, which doesn't prioritize flipping through the book to find plants you can grow where you live. Worth seeking out for the attention given to wet-garden veg alone.
August 2, 2018
This book gave a brief overview of many different perennial vegetables, which I thought sounded like they might make the daunting task of garden maintenance a little easier. A lot of the plants were not ones that I would be able to grow outdoors where I live (Michigan), but the little color-coded maps of growing zones that he added to each entry made it very easy to flip through the book and find ones that would be possible for me. This book seems like a good resource to start with.
July 3, 2021
Deeply anecdotal in a lot of places
The way this book has been talked about in other gardening books I've enjoyed, I thought it would be a little more authoritative. The anecdotal form of many of the entries isn’t necessarily a flaw, but readers should know that this book is as much aspirational as informative, a hopeful todo list for plant breeders. Still, useful for understanding availability of perennial vegetables in various climates.
The way this book has been talked about in other gardening books I've enjoyed, I thought it would be a little more authoritative. The anecdotal form of many of the entries isn’t necessarily a flaw, but readers should know that this book is as much aspirational as informative, a hopeful todo list for plant breeders. Still, useful for understanding availability of perennial vegetables in various climates.
June 27, 2019
This is a great read for permaculture planning, with fairly detailed profiles of quite a lot of edible perennials. I might want to reference it often enough to purchase it (I’m currently viewing a library copy).
August 3, 2017
I skimmed this book and was impressed by the author's knowledge and food adventuresomeness.
I have a few perennial vegetable crops already (sorrel, sylvetta arugula, lovage), and I love how they keep on keeping on without much help from me.
But I was not inspired to track down, baby along (in my climate), and puzzle over how to cook these (mostly) unfamiliar vegetables.
I have a few perennial vegetable crops already (sorrel, sylvetta arugula, lovage), and I love how they keep on keeping on without much help from me.
But I was not inspired to track down, baby along (in my climate), and puzzle over how to cook these (mostly) unfamiliar vegetables.
September 29, 2018
A wealth of food with a focus on temperate climates. 100 perennials.
August 14, 2020
Amazing book full of all the information you'd ever want. Pair it with "Seed to Seed" and you'll be ready to take on any permaculture garden
February 8, 2021
Informative if a bit dry. So many new-to-me food options, I would've appreciated more pictures. As it was I did a lot of searching on my phone as I read along.
August 26, 2021
Kudos to the author for collecting so much information. The zone breakdown and maps are very useful. I found several new vegetables I'd like to try.
December 31, 2021
Helpful, very, even after reading all of Eric's other books.
October 13, 2016
Lots of interesting ideas, but not enough information on any one thing to really drive me to go research it more and determine if i should add it to the garden.
December 16, 2024
Extremely ambitious to write a book that covers perennial vegetables worldwide that will grow anywhere in the U.S. from Hawaii (USDA Zone 11) to Northern Alaska (USDA Zone 1.) This book covers less than 5% (maybe even less than 1%) of possible perennial vegetables that fit that into those habitat requirements. It would have been much more practical and user-friendly to try to limit the scope to one ecoregion like the Northeastern U.S. temperate forest biome.
Some things that I disliked about this book:
-The map on page 24 is ridiculous and the categories are not helpful. To include Atlanta GA in the same classification ("cold temperate") as the Michigan UP and 62 degrees latitude Alaska is quite baffling from a plant-growers perspective.
-Author mentioned multiple times that he either hasn't tried certain plants in the book or only tried them once to write the book.
-Author tried to address invasive species and their detrimental impact in the beginning of the book but that stands in contrast with later spotlighting plants with extremely invasive tendencies
-Author also seems dismissive (or ignorant) of the potential of native North American plants. He states that "most of the best perennial vegetables are not from here" while not mentioning that most of the food history of indigenous peoples of North America was systemically erased. There are many great food plants from North America! Please read Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants by Sam Thayer for more information.
-Author lists Petasites japonicus as a perennial vegetable but does not mention that it contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver damage and only hints at its highly invasive nature.
Besides the details outlined above I liked the book. I did learn a few things and appreciate what the book is trying to achieve by getting folks to grow more perennials as food sources. The species accounts and maps for each species were good and some of the charts (like the on page 23) are also excellent.
Some things that I disliked about this book:
-The map on page 24 is ridiculous and the categories are not helpful. To include Atlanta GA in the same classification ("cold temperate") as the Michigan UP and 62 degrees latitude Alaska is quite baffling from a plant-growers perspective.
-Author mentioned multiple times that he either hasn't tried certain plants in the book or only tried them once to write the book.
-Author tried to address invasive species and their detrimental impact in the beginning of the book but that stands in contrast with later spotlighting plants with extremely invasive tendencies
-Author also seems dismissive (or ignorant) of the potential of native North American plants. He states that "most of the best perennial vegetables are not from here" while not mentioning that most of the food history of indigenous peoples of North America was systemically erased. There are many great food plants from North America! Please read Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants by Sam Thayer for more information.
-Author lists Petasites japonicus as a perennial vegetable but does not mention that it contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver damage and only hints at its highly invasive nature.
Besides the details outlined above I liked the book. I did learn a few things and appreciate what the book is trying to achieve by getting folks to grow more perennials as food sources. The species accounts and maps for each species were good and some of the charts (like the on page 23) are also excellent.
June 17, 2010
Can you name a perennial vegetable? You probably know about asparagus. Another? Maybe you know artichokes are perennial (I didn't!) Another? Is rhubarb a vegetable?
This book has over 100 perennial vegetables. There are familiar and semi-familiar things I didn't know were perennial, like chayote and runner beans and shallots. There are lots of aquatic vegetables, with info on how to grow them -- water chestnuts, watercress, and lotus root among them. There are things I've never heard of -- South American greens and root vegetables, edible weeds, air potatoes. (Yes, I said "air potato"!) Some of them are kind of off-putting -- potentially invasive, poisonous if you pick or prepare them wrong, or described as "gelatinous" or "musky". I don't think I'm going to grow many of these things, though shallots and runner beans have piqued my interest, and I flirted with the idea of sunchokes. But if you're a plant geek and/or food geek, it's a fascinationg read.
There's a section on growing techniques, lots and lots of plant profiles, and some resource listings. Check it out!
This book has over 100 perennial vegetables. There are familiar and semi-familiar things I didn't know were perennial, like chayote and runner beans and shallots. There are lots of aquatic vegetables, with info on how to grow them -- water chestnuts, watercress, and lotus root among them. There are things I've never heard of -- South American greens and root vegetables, edible weeds, air potatoes. (Yes, I said "air potato"!) Some of them are kind of off-putting -- potentially invasive, poisonous if you pick or prepare them wrong, or described as "gelatinous" or "musky". I don't think I'm going to grow many of these things, though shallots and runner beans have piqued my interest, and I flirted with the idea of sunchokes. But if you're a plant geek and/or food geek, it's a fascinationg read.
There's a section on growing techniques, lots and lots of plant profiles, and some resource listings. Check it out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews