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Perennial vegetables are a joy to grow and require a lot less time and effort than annuals. In How to Grow Perennial Vegetables Martin Crawford gives comprehensive advice on all types of perennial vegetable (edible plants that live longer than three years), from ground-cover plants and coppiced trees to plants for bog gardens and edible woodland plants.
There are many advantages to growing perennial vegetables, for example:
- they need less tillage than conventional vegetables and so help retain carbon in the soil
- the soil structure is not disturbed in their cultivation
- they extend the harvesting season, especially in early spring
- and, of course, they are much less work.
Part One looks at why and how to grow these crops, and how to look after them for maximum health. Part Two features over 100 perennial edibles in detail, both common and unusual – from rhubarb to skirret; Jerusalem artichoke to nodding onions.
How to Grow Perennial Vegetables offers inspiration and information for all gardeners, whether experienced or beginner, and also includes plenty of cooking tips. It includes beautiful colour photographs and illustrations throughout.
Foreword by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Introduction
Part 1 An introduction to perennial vegetables
1.
Why grow perennial vegetables?
What is a perennial vegetable?
The case for growing perennials
2. Growing perennial vegetables
Types of perennial plant
Soils
Perennial beds
Planting patterns
Perennial polycultures
Perennial grains
Perennial tuber and root crops
Perennial vegetables and ground-cover plants
Forestgardens
Growing perennial vegetables under existing trees
Growing aquatic perennial vegetables
Native and non-native plants
3. Maintenance of perennial vegetables
Feeding
Soil pH
Disease management
Pestmanagement
Harvesting and yields
Propagation
Maintenance
Part 2 Perennial vegetables A–Z
Appendix: Common and Latin names
Resources
Martin Crawford started his working life a computer programmer but his passion for organic gardening quickly led to a change in career. He has had broad and varied horticultural/agricultural experience over the last 25 years. He is a director of 'Gaia', a Trust formed by James Lovelock to further his work. See www.agroforestry.co.uk for more information.
"A lot of information is packed into a relatively short space [...] Lots of the plants listed were new to me entirely, or as an edible possibility. Now I'm not only thinking where edible perennials may fit on my allotment, but also in my garden too! This is an informative and detailed book, which I shall be returning to again and again."
– vegplotting.blogspot
"This lovely book makes it clear that we are not just missing a trick, we are missing a feast."
– Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
"I admire tremendously the first-hand experience which informs Martin Crawford's writing. This book leads us down the path to a wealth of perennial vegetables and tells us how to combine them successfully."
– Anne Swithinbank
"A really useful book [...] Let us start freeing outselves from the tyranny of the annual sowing, thinning and planting regime."
– Bob Flowerdew
"At last an indepth book on perennial vegetables combined with Martin Crawford's usual diligence of research – essential reading."
– Ben Law
"Martin is a true pioneer and his work deserves respect and celebration."
– Permaculture Magazine
"Martin Crawford is a frontiersman, a pioneering teacher and an inspiration. Both his work and his garden are national treasures."
– Chris Nichols, Director of the Ashridge MSc in Sustainability and Responsibility
