Most aggressive and tough edible perennials

[WarpZone]

So far I have cherry trees (will survive actual atomic blast), siberian blackberry, haskap berries, asparagus, rhubarb and Zilga grape vines (not as tough as advertised).

I am looking for perennial plants that will survive for years and preferably spread as well so I can get more plants for free. I need plants that won't die in harsh winters but also interested in plants that can survive in a greenhouse, as long as they are productive. Rabbit & deer resistance is a great plus. So far the cherry and haskaps are only tough and animal resistant plants I have. Blackberries and Zilgas will get eaten without protection and rhubarb has very few calories. Asparagus grows very slow (started from seeds) and has low calories.

Does anyone have experience growing Sea Buckthorn? Should be very healthy and packed with nutrients.

I am mainly looking plants with absolute vigor and as nutrient dense as possible.

 

[brokedownpalace10]

So far I have cherry trees (will survive actual atomic blast), siberian blackberry, haskap berries, asparagus, rhubarb and Zilga grape vines (not as tough as advertised).

I am looking for perennial plants that will survive for years and preferably spread as well so I can get more plants for free. I need plants that won't die in harsh winters but also interested in plants that can survive in a greenhouse, as long as they are productive. Rabbit & deer resistance is a great plus. So far the cherry and haskaps are only tough and animal resistant plants I have. Blackberries and Zilgas will get eaten without protection and rhubarb has very few calories. Asparagus grows very slow (started from seeds) and has low calories.

Does anyone have experience growing Sea Buckthorn? Should be very healthy and packed with nutrients.

I am mainly looking plants with absolute vigor and as nutrient dense as possible.

The deer leave Chives alone. Most all spices. Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme and probably others are perennial. Mint is actually invasive. I have a hops plant the deer leave alone and the spring shoots are edible and taste a lot like Asparagus. I'm thinking of getting Rhubarb. The Chives and Hops are something to eat out of the yard uber early, like light snow still maybe.

 

[WarpZone]

The deer leave Chives alone. Most all spices. Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme and probably others are perennial. Mint is actually invasive. I have a hops plant the deer leave alone and the spring shoots are edible and taste a lot like Asparagus. I'm thinking of getting Rhubarb. The Chives and Hops are something to eat out of the yard uber early, like light snow still maybe.

Actually planted some chives just recently! I do have some thyme also and some other herbs as well. Thyme just survived it's first winter. Dill is seeding itself and growing again nicely.

 

[SkunK]

Strawberrys , Blackberrys and Raspberrys grow super well for me, they expand very quickly and are cold resistant (Zone 3a/3b)

Raspberry should be replanted every 3 years or so to limit disease and keep vigor going.


Garlic grows very well as well for me. I use alot of it when cooking as well so it's Nice to have on hand.


-Black Nightshare (Solanum americanum, S.Nigrum and S.Ptychanthum) make sure they are ripe amd not a hint of green.

 

[WarpZone]

Strawberrys , Blackberrys and Raspberrys grow super well for me, they expand very quickly and are cold resistant (Zone 3a/3b)

Raspberry should be replanted every 3 years or so to limit disease and keep vigor going.


Garlic grows very well as well for me. I use alot of it when cooking as well so it's Nice to have on hand.


-Black Nightshare (Solanum americanum, S.Nigrum and S.Ptychanthum) make sure they are ripe amd not a hint of green.

I do have some strawberries and raspberries but they are not growing so well. The soil has maybe too much clay for them (could be fixed with effort). Currently growing strawberries in containers as well which are more promising.

Tried garlic once and it just died. Need to try it again with more effort, because garlic is awesome. Also tried onions and some bugs just ate them.

The nightshades are interesting but also a bit dangerous

 

[Transform]

Redcurrants and gooseberries are pretty indestructible and high-yielding in my bit of northern Europe, at least - you just have to have a ton of recipes for acidic soft fruits

We too have a (sour) cherry tree - it's rare that the fruit will get ripe before it gets maggotty so picking them sour is generally best (and makes the best jam that way anyhow). These are also great for the freezer and go well with things like rice pudding, semolina, or waffles.

If you don't mind having invasive 'weeds' in your garden, ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria, also commonly known as goutweed) makes for a superb spring vegetable just when the 'hungry gap' is biting. Pick young shoots when the leaves are still bright and glossy, the longer and thicker the stems, the better. Put them in soup with potatoes, nettles, and asparagus once it comes into season. Once the flower buds start to form, pick those too. The leaves, stems and buds are all delicious fried in butter, if you should happen to get bored of soup

My indestructible herbs include mint, lemon balm and marjoram. My solution to invasive plants is to plant as many different sorts as possible and let them all fight it out - it's kind of ultra-slow-motion entertainment. Sweet cicely's another fun one to add to the mix with its edible fruit, foliage and roots (and works very nicely as an absinthe additive ) Less a culinary herb and more medicinal, motherwort likes seeding itself into new spots over the course of time, living up to its name on a horticultural level at the very least, while garden rue falls into the category of 'just about usable as a culinary herb, very occasionally or in tiny amounts', while again seeding prolifically and setting up home in any available gritty crack. Watch out in the summer though - we've had brown marks and even blisters develop due to its photosensitising effect, so don't brush past it unthinkingly with your bare skin!

Back to the ground elder, if things get really bad, the rhizomes are just about edible. Beyond that, I'd have to start eating my cacti.