Imagine planting something this spring that feeds you for years—without replanting every season. That’s the magic of permanent crops. They’re low-maintenance, sustainable, and perfect for gardeners in Canada, the USA, or anywhere that loves fresh, homegrown food.
When I started gardening, I stuck to quick growers like tomatoes, lettuce, and radishes. But once I discovered asparagus, strawberries, brambles (like raspberries and blackberries), perennial herbs, and blueberries, my garden became a year-round buffet.
Plant these 5 crops now, and you’ll be harvesting long after your neighbors have pulled up their annuals.
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Asparagus – The Long-Term Garden Investment
If you’ve never grown asparagus, you’re missing out on one of the easiest “plant once, harvest for decades” crops. I planted my first crowns a few springs back and—yes—the wait was real. But now, every spring, tender green spears push through the soil like clockwork, and I barely lift a finger. The trick? Give them a sunny spot, well-drained soil, and patience.
Quick Tips for Asparagus Success:
- Plant crowns in early spring for best results.
- Avoid harvesting for the first 2–3 years to let roots establish.
- Pair with strawberries for a beautiful (and productive!) perennial bed.
Once it’s established, asparagus will feed you for up to 20+ years—making it one of the smartest spring planting decisions you can make.
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Strawberries & Brambles – Sweet Returns Every Year
Few things beat picking a sun-warmed strawberry right from the plant. Add brambles like raspberries and blackberries, and you’ve got a summer fruit supply that keeps on giving. My patch started small, but with a little care (and a few accidental escapes into the lawn), it’s now a mini berry jungle.
Quick Tips for Berries:
- Plant in full sun for maximum sweetness.
- Mulch around plants to keep weeds down and berries clean.
- Prune brambles in late winter to encourage more fruiting canes.
Both strawberries and brambles are perennials—meaning you plant once and enjoy for years. Bonus: they freeze well, so you can taste summer even in winter.
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Perennial Herbs – Fresh Flavor, Year After Year
My mint patch is unstoppable—in the best and worst ways. The best: endless mojitos, teas, and fresh garnish. The worst: it will take over if you let it. Along with mint, hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and curry leaves give you flavor all season and come back each year.
Quick Tips for Perennial Herbs:
- Grow mint in containers to control spreading.
- Plant in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.
- Snip regularly to encourage bushy growth.
With perennial herbs in the garden, you’ll save money, boost flavor, and add pollinator-friendly plants to your yard.
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Blueberries – Antioxidant Powerhouses
When I planted my first blueberry bush, I thought one would be enough. Wrong. These plants love company—two or more varieties mean better pollination and bigger harvests. The bonus? They double as ornamental shrubs, with pretty white blooms in spring and fiery foliage in fall.
Quick Tips for Blueberries:
- Plant at least two varieties for best yields.
- Use acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5) for healthy plants.
- Mulch with pine needles to keep roots cool and moist.
With just a little care, blueberries will produce for 10+ years—and keep your breakfast bowls colorful.
Also Read: 7 Mistakes That Are Killing Your Fall Mums
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Globe Artichokes – Edible Elegance
Globe artichokes aren’t just delicious—they’re stunning. Tall, architectural, and silvery-green, they look like something out of a Mediterranean postcard. I planted a few last year, and they became instant conversation starters in my garden.
Quick Tips for Globe Artichokes:
- Plant in full sun with rich, well-draining soil.
- Mulch to protect roots over winter in cooler zones.
- Harvest buds before they fully open for the best flavor.
With the right care, globe artichokes can produce for several years, adding both beauty and flavor to your garden.
Planting asparagus, strawberries, brambles, perennial herbs, blueberries, and even globe artichokes this spring is an investment in future harvests. Each year, they’ll come back stronger—saving you money, reducing your workload, and filling your table with homegrown goodness.
🌱 Pro Tip: If you have extra space, sneak in some quick-growers like tomatoes, capsicums, corn, lettuce, arugula, radishes, and spinach between your perennials for a full-season harvest.
Plant once, enjoy for years—that’s the power of permanent crops.
