PERENNIAL Perks

Perennials plants can produce and produce if you put in the work upfront.

-  LEAH SMITH

Perennial plants and plantings (by P definition, those living for more than two years) can be daunting. There is the extra cost; for many plants you'll be buying bulbs, potted plants or even trees, all of which cost more than seeds.

There is also the necessity for careful planning. True, the best annual gardens emerge when you know your soil's texture, fertility and drainage and what each of your plants prefers. But with perennial plantings, it's essential.

Lastly, perennials of various kinds bring with them the need to develop new and special skills sets. Pruning woody growth, dividing crowns, they are things you will want to learn for maintaining your perennial areas. So is adding perennials to your homestead truly worth it? You bet!

PERENNIAL PROFITS

There are many advantages to perennial crops, whether fruits, flowers, vegetables or herbs.

Because of their multiseasonal, established nature, they greatly contribute to the organic matter, porosity and water-holding capacity of the soil, meaning that over time, they'll be able to produce increasingly better crop outcomes.

Root systems, having years in which to grow, will reach to lower-level soil minerals and moisture and establish

beneficial relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. This will also enhance their ability to reach these resources. The result is increased drought resistance as well as a measure of disease and pest resistance and a more mineralrich foodstuff in the case of edibles.

Perennials kept in good shape will pay for themselves and more, not requiring the repeated outlay of money annuals do.