Perennial vegetables are still today limited to a few vegetables as Asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke and rhubarb, grown on relatively small areas in Denmark. To meet the needs of transitioning organic farming to climate friendly growing methods - and crops, that increase carbon sequestering, increase local biodiversity above and below ground, we here demonstrate the potential of so far unknown perennial vegetables as commercial crops.

Perennial vegetables such as Patience dock (Rumex patienta), Perennial kale, Perennial leek (Allium ampeloprasum), Turkish rocket (Bunias orientalis) and Good king henry (Blitum bonus-henricus) live for a number of years and require no tillage, which reduces the climate impact. The plants are furthermore robust and tolerate extreme weather conditions.

The project demonstrates, that perennial vegetables genereally contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals and protein compared to common annual vegetables as lettuce and kale. The majority of perennial vegetables are well suited for growing around trees and bushes, allowing for a larger yield per area.

While the project is in great favor of a wide spread commercial adaptation to perennial vegetables as a complementary crop to annulas, more data, experiences and education seem needed to engage producers, if we actively want to transition farming to climatefriendly and organicac growing systems.

The report is (regrettably) only avaliable in Danish:
Vidensyntesen om flerårige grøntsagers potentiale for kommerciel produktion,

The project was funded by