Perennial Vegetable Corner: Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus is one of the more familiar offerings on this visitation to various choices in perennial vegetable gardening.  This succulent vegetable is loved or hated in our American cuisine.  One of the oldest vegetables on record, it grows well in our region.  The following website has an excellent overview of establishing your asparagus patch:

Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board

Varieties original to the United States are Mary, Martha, and Waltham Washington.  Hybrid varieties provide more male plants than female and are the Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme and Jersey Gem varieties.  Other varieties are available in the southern United States and Canada, but the Canadian varieties may not be available to the home gardener at this time.  Purple passion, pacific purple and other purple varieties have been selected for a genetic color mutation but turn green with cooking.  White varieties are the normal varieties that have been "blanched" by mechanical means by the gardener.

Suppliers:

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Territorial Seed

Grow Organic

Perennial Vegetable Corner: Groundnut

Apios americana also known as Groundnut

A vine native to North America, the groundnut has edible beans and tubers.  Tubers are crunchy and nutritious and have high quantities of starch and protein.  Before the European settlement of this continent, native Americans got the majority of their crop from the wild.  Documentation does show that some tribes did transplant these vines near their settlements to make harvesting easier.  I have not tried to cultivate these but it appears that they would be a good companion plant with the ramps we talked about recently.  Interested in starting a growth of these in the city?  Let us know how it goes for you!

Suppliers:

Sand Mountain Herbs

Local Harvest

Perennial Vegetable Corner: Garlic chives

Allium tuberosum also known as Garlic chives

The last in our perennial allium family, garlic chives are a versatile contributor to the garden.  Easily grown from seed or by separating clumps, this is a carefree addition to the garden.  The flowers also provide for a pleasant addition to the landscape.  The flavor is mild and a cross between garlic and chives.  These are an excellent pot herb or garnish.  Flowers make an excellent garnish and bloom in mid to late summer.  There are even companies that produce and extract for it's aphrodisiac properties.

Suppliers:

Swallowtail Gardens

Local Harvest

Victory Seeds

Perennial Vegetable Corner: Ramps

Allium tricoccum also known as Ramps

Ramps are an early spring vegetable of the onion family.  They have a strong garlic odor and pronounced onion flavor.  The mountain folk of Appalachia have long celebrated spring with the arrival of the ramp, believing it to have great power as a tonic to ward off many ailments of winter. Indeed, ramp's vitamin and mineral content did bolster the health of people who went without many green vegetables during the winter.  These delicious greens can be pulled straight out of the ground and nibbled on by those with a passion for strong tastes.  Chopped they may be used in various cuisines.  Excellent paired with eggs or in stir fries, many people develop a passionate love of these vegetables after being introduced to their robust flavor.  Ramps grow wild all over the United States and a patch can be introduced to your backyard by transplanting a clump to fill in some of the shady spaces.  When picking out your space, look for dappled light or shade and plant in a wood chip rich area.   Recently, the Carondelet Urban Farm went on a field trip to Macoupin County, Illinois to dig bushels of ramps.  It was an exciting and taste filled day.  We have had some discussion of what we actually dug up and are awaiting expert opinion on what we brought home to transplant.  Ramps are a great plant to tuck in your landscape and nibble on in the spring of the year.

Suppliers:

Prairie Moon Nursery

Ramp Farm Specialties

Everwilde Farms

Perennial Vegetable Corner: Welsh Onion

Allium fistulosum also known as Welsh Onion.

Bunching onions that can be found at the grocery store are an excellent perennial vegetable for the home garden.  Growing 2 feet by 8 inches, Welsh Onion is highly edible.  Bulb, stem, and flowers pack a high onion punch when used in salads and sautes.  Easy to grow, it prefers a sunny location with light well-drained soil.  Juice is said to be used as a moth repellant.  Plants for a Future Database also lists numerous other uses including a sedative for children that can be made from this plant.

Suppliers:

Bountiful Gardens

Horizon Herbs

and many varieties at our local favorite:  Baker Creek Nursery

Resources:

Plants for a Future Database:  Allium fistulosum
Floridata
How to Grow Green Onions
Smart Gardener