Adding these 25 edible perennials that thrive in the Arizona desert, has transformed my garden into an edible paradise. The post 25 Thriving Edible Perennials In My Desert Garden appeared first on Growing In The Garden.
Each season, I aim to add more edible perennials to my desert garden. Where I live, we have very hot summers and mild winters, so the challenge is finding perennial crops that survive our hot, dry summers. Over time, I’ve curated this list of 25 edible perennials that thrive in the hot climate of the Arizona desert, transforming my garden into an edible paradise.
Why grow edible perennials?
Unlike annual plants, which complete their life cycle in one season and must be replanted, perennials can live for many years. This means more food with less effort and expense.
An added benefit is that once they are established, most perennials have little upkeep–usually only seasonal pruning and amending with compost. And finally, many edible perennials are high-value crops that can be grown for much less than they cost in the grocery store.
Grapes
Definition of edible perennial
Lemongrass and asparagus
Perennials are often defined in different ways. For this article, these are the criteria I’m using:
A species that lives out its life cycle over 2 more years. The ability to survive winter and summer. Harvest in a way that doesn’t kill the plant. (Some of these root crops are plant/replant perennials, meaning they are dug up for harvest, but then some portion is replanted in the same or another hole, keeping the plant alive to produce again the following year.)Although I’m growing nearly 40 different types of fruit trees, I’m not including fruit trees and most herbs in this post. I recently posted 10 Perennial Herbs for Hot Climates, and I’ll share more about creating a food forest with fruit trees in an upcoming post!
25 Edible Perennials for Desert Climates
1. Artichoke
At the end of flowering, cut plants down to just above the ground and mulch heavily to help them survive the summer. I like growing sweet potatoes over the soil during the summer to further protect the crowns. The plant will begin growing again in the fall. Artichoke plants usually live for 3-4 years. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow artichokes.
2. Asparagus
Asparagus roots produce individual stalks above ground. The roots and stalks grow larger each year. A well-kept asparagus patch can produce for 10 years or more! For more information, read my blog post on how to grow asparagus.
3. Peppers
Although peppers are often grown as an annual in cooler climates, in the low desert it’s easy to keep them alive for years. Cover plants during frost events. Cut plants back in the early spring and/or fall to reinvigorate. After 3-4 years, production may decline. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow peppers.
4. Chiltepin
Chiltepin is a wild chili pepper native to the U.S. and Mexico, known for its intense heat and considered the ancestor of all peppers. Plants grow large. I grow my plants in native soil and take care not to overwater. Chiltepin is frost-sensitive; cover plants during frost events.
5. Eggplant
Eggplant is one of the easiest plants to grow in the low desert. Plant in early spring or with the monsoons. Protect from freezing temperatures. May live 2-3 years with ideal growing conditions. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow eggplant.
6. Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomatoes can live for several years if they stay healthy. Feed the soil with compost, keep lower leaves trimmed, and water tomatoes deeply to prevent disease. Protect from freezing temperatures. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow tomatoes.
7. Strawberries
The trick is to choose the correct varieties and provide afternoon shade so strawberries can survive the summer. Plants can live for 3-4 years. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow strawberries.
25 Edible Perennials for Hot Climates (continued)
8. Grapes
Grapes can take full sun. Their roots go 2 feet (.6 meters) deep; plant in rich soil. Learn how to train and prune correctly, and grapevines will live for many years.
9. Blackberries
Blackberries grow well with plenty of sunlight and water. Blackberry canes are biennial. The canes are fruitless the first year, and then bear fruit the second year, and die after fruiting. Next year’s fruit will grow on this year’s growth.
10. Goji Berries
Berries form on current-year’s wood. Light pruning encourages new growth and keeps the plant open for light and air circulation. Plants begin producing at 2 years old and reach maximum production after 3-5 years.
11. Chichiquelite
Commonly called garden huckleberry. Berries produce abundantly over a long season. Plants grow large and grow well in the ground.
12. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite cover crops. I grow them in raised beds and in the ground. If you want to keep sweet potatoes growing as a perennial, leave a small portion in the ground after harvesting, or replant a rooted stem. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow sweet potatoes.
13. Longevity Spinach
This tasty spinach grows well in partial shade. I usually grow it as a ground cover. Longevity spinach tolerates neglect and survives for years.
14. Capers
Caper plants thrive in the low desert. They are happiest in the ground, with at least six feet in every direction.
15. Elderberry
Mexican elderberry, also known as Sambucus Mexicana, thrives in Arizona’s hot climate due to its natural tolerance for drought and heat. Regular watering during the first growing season will help establish a deep root system, making the plant more resistant to drier conditions later on.
16. Jerusalem Artichoke / Sunchoke:
Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, thrive in Arizona’s sunny and hot climate. It’s time to harvest when the plants die back. At harvest time, leave a tuber or two in the ground, and they will sprout and grow again.
17. Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a tropical plant that grows best with plenty of water. This perennial grass forms lateral shoots that you harvest each year. New canes form as plants spread and multiply.
25 Edible Perennials for Hot Climates (continued)
18. Passion Fruit Vine
The vigorous vine produces fruit in the spring and fall – give it something to climb. Passion fruit vine usually lasts 3-4 years.
19. Moringa
Moringa is ideal for hot climate desert gardens as it thrives in hot, arid conditions. The leaves are commonly consumed fresh or dried, and the pods are popular in Indian and Asian cooking.
20. Garlic Chives
The oldest garlic chive plant in my garden is at least 10 years old. I divide it every few years, and it comes back each spring. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow garlic chives.
21. I’itoi onions
I’itoi onions are a multiplier onion well-suited to desert growing. The planted bulb multiplies and is propagated by division of bulbs. Bulbs left in the ground over the summer will go dormant and begin growing again in the fall. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow I’itoi onions.
22. Turmeric
This edible perennial needs shade when grown in Arizona. Because the ground doesn’t freeze, I usually leave mine in the ground and harvest as needed throughout the year. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow turmeric.
23. Ginger
Very similar to turmeric, you can leave ginger in the ground and harvest as needed throughout the year. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow ginger.
24. Pigeon Peas
Pigeon pea is a perennial legume shrub that lasts four or five years. Plants can grow large and do well in native soil here in the desert.
25. Cucamelon
Cucamelons are a tender perennial; this means they are sensitive to frost but, if cared for properly, can live for several seasons. Throughout the season, cucamelons develop an underground tuber. Once the plant dies back in mild winter areas, mulch the ground around the roots well, and it should survive over the winter and begin to regrow in the spring. For more information, read my blog post on how to grow cucamelons.
These are the edible perennials I’m growing right now or have grown in my hot climate desert garden. I’m sure there are lots more. Let me know in the comments which ones you’re growing!
Other ways to have vegetables come back each year
Let vegetables flower and drop seeds. Save garlic cloves to replant the following year. Save seeds each season to replant.For more information, read my blog post on Self-Sufficient Gardening.
Looking for more information about edible perennials in the desert?
Read this post about 10 Perennial Herbs for Hot Summer Climates
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