An essential survival food and a mainstay in the perennial vegetable garden, either because of it’s popularity or gardeners inability to get rid of it after it’s planted, Sunchoke is a tough, productive and easy to grow member of the Aster family that produces tons of edible tubers. Clumps of small sunflowers produce cheery little yellow flowers and spread to form colonies that are vigorous but not difficult to maintain. Sunchokes are also frequently known as Jerusalem Artichokes, though they have no relation to either Jerusalem or Artichokes, though there is a flavor similarity to the artichoke which may explain the name.

Also, be warned that the Sunchoke has aquired the nickname of Jerusalem “Fartichoke” due to the presence of a carbohydrate called inulin that is not easily digestible and may cause a serious rumble in the tumble especially for those with sensitive stomachs. Many gardeners and chefs have found ways around this issue by various methods such as peeling the skin, soaking the tubers first, harvesting at certain times or from certain parts of the clump of tubers, and various cooking techniques. There exist many great recipes for turning the Sunchoke into a true delicacy and you won’t soon find an easier perennial vegetable to grow.

Latin Name: Helianthus tuberosus
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Minus 30-40° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 5-7 ft. high and spreading qui
Bloom Time: Spring
Ripening Time: Tubers are ready in fall.
Yield: 5-10 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Climbing Yams are not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3
Sunset Western Zone: Not listed
Sunset Northeast Zone: Not listed

The post Sunchoke appeared first on One Green World.

This perennial kale has received our Cosmic Jab of approval many times over, and after years of enjoying their year-round greens we are excited to offer them to farmers and gardeners across the country. Kosmic Kale is a perennial kale, so unlike most brassicas that are biennial and flower in their second year, the Kosmic Kale continues growing in a vegetative state without going to flower. The white variegated edges of the leaves really make it pop in the garden and give it the cosmic flare for which it is so deeply treasured. Kosmic Kale Perennial Kale is a perfect addition to the forest garden or perennial bed.

Latin Name: Brassica hybrid
Site and Soil: Kosmic Kale likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: Kosmic Kale is self rooted
Pollination Requirements: None
Hardiness: Kosmic Kale is hardy to about 10F, possibly lower once established
Bearing Age: Year of planting
Size at Maturity: 2 ft x 4 ft
Bloom Time: None
Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to common brassica pests, such as whitefly and aphids
USDA Zone: 8

The post Kosmic Kale Perennial Kale appeared first on One Green World.

Homesteader’s Kaleidoscopic Perennial Kale Grex was developed by plant breeder and brassica-ologist Chris Homanics from crossing the perennial kale bush varieties ‘Purple Tree Collard’ and ‘Daubenton’ to a variety of other colored kales, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and more. Out of this grex (mix) came all sorts of leaf shapes and colors. Long and thin to ruffled, smooth, flat, or wide. Colors like yellow green, red, dark purple, variegated white and pink, and solid green.

Selected from the beginning for flavor and texture with the kitchen in mind. Loved by chefs and the eaters alike. Careful selection of thousands and thousands of plants over years has honed in on the hardiest and longest living plants which vigorously grow to become large sprawling bushes. These are huge perennials bigger than typical kale and need at least 3 feet apart!

Trialed successfully in most regions of the country. Growers will find it performs well both in drought and winter cold down to zone 6. Once winter sets in, you will be surprised as some of the plants will begin to show beautiful splashes of color.

Most plants will flower in the second year and then continue growing later in the season. You can create new plants by taking woody stem cuttings of your best plants. Finally, in the early Fall, prune these plants to stimulate fresh new growth as you would other perennials.

Post your pictures – show what you grow!

From the Head, Hands, Heart

Thanks goes to our friend Graham Jenkins-Belohorska for his forethought and luck in achieving the initial cross between bush kales, finally showing that it was possible to get seed again from these plants.

Released under the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) license which reads:

“You have the freedom to use these OSSI seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict other’s use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.”

As required by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Washington Crucifer Seed Quarantine this seed was tested by OSU and found to be free from Blackleg fungus (Leptosphaeria maculans).

The post Homesteader’s Kaleidoscopic Perennial Kale Grex appeared first on One Green World.

Morado Yacón is a productive beautiful new variety. Tubers are purple/red when they are fresh dug and when cured they develop a deep purple/burgundy skin with pink sweet flesh. Morado also starts flowering early September with one inch yellow flowers and purple/green leaves.

The (Smallanthus sonchifolius, syn.: Polymnia edulis, P. sonchifolia) is a species of perennial daisy traditionally grown in the northern and central Andes from Colombia to northern Argentina for its crisp, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots. Their texture and flavour are very similar to jicama, mainly differing in that yacón has some slightly sweet, resinous, and floral (similar to violet) undertones to its flavour, probably due to the presence of inulin, which produces the sweet taste of the roots of elecampane, as well. Another name for yacón is Peruvian ground apple, possibly from the French name of potato,pomme de terre (ground apple). The tuber is composed mostly of water and fructooligosaccharide.

The post Morado Yacón appeared first on One Green World.

The OG Yacón variety that has been propagated in the Pacific North West for the last couple of decades.  A prolific producer of tubers that cure up deep red skin with red flesh around the edges. Crowns can be grown just like a Dahlia plant. You dig it up before first frost save the edible fleshy tubers and save the crown for the following year. We are offering propagation crowns that can be divided. 1/3 of a pound will grow a 4’x4′ bed and yield 10+ pounds of edible tubers. Crowns approximately double in size each year so you only need to buy Yacon once! Then you can gift the tubers to your friends and neighbors. They make beautiful garden companions as well as being edible.

The OG yacón is a species of perennial daisy traditionally grown in the northern and central Andes from Colombia to northern Argentina for its crisp, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots. Their texture and flavour are very similar to jicama, mainly differing in that yacón has some slightly sweet, resinous, and floral (similar to violet) undertones to its flavour, probably due to the presence of inulin, which produces the sweet taste of the roots of elecampane, as well. Another name for yacón is Peruvian ground apple, possibly from the French name of potato,pomme de terre (ground apple). The tuber is composed mostly of water and fructooligosaccharide.

Commonly called jicama in Ecuador, yacón is sometimes confused with that unrelated plant, which is a bean. The yacón, in contrast, is a close relative of the sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke. The plant produces a perennial rhizome to which are attached the edible, succulent storage roots, the principal economic product of the plant. The rhizome develops just under the surface of the soil and continuously produces aerial shoots. Dry and/or cold seasons cause the aerial shoots to die back, but the plant re-sprouts from the rhizome under favorable conditions of temperature and moisture. The edible storage tubers are large and typically weigh from a few hundred grams to a kilogram or so.

The post OG Yacón appeared first on One Green World.

Our Lemongrass plants are vigorous, easy to grow, and pest and disease resistant. Enjoy using this flavorful foliage in your Thai and other Asian dishes. Pair with one of our Thai Lime Trees!

Latin Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Site and Soil: This plant likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description:
Pollination Requirements:
Hardiness: This plant can stand very light frost.
Bearing Age:
Size at Maturity: 3-4 ft. in height
Bloom Time:
Ripening Time:
Yield:
Pests & Diseases: This plant is not bothered by pests or diseases,
USDA Zone: 9
Sunset Western Zone: 12,13,16,17,23, 24, H1, H2
Sunset Northeast Zone: All Zones (overwinter indoors)

The post Lemongrass appeared first on One Green World.

Latin Name: Allium schoenoprasum
Site and Soil: Full sun and very well-drained soil. Drought tolerant evergreen
Hardiness: Hardy to -40° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 2-3′ feet wide.
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland.
USDA Zone: 3

The post Chives appeared first on One Green World.

A monstrous cousin of the more commonly seen Sea Kale, the Giant Sea Kale (Crambe cordifolia) is valued as both a bold and bodacious ornamental as well as a very useful perennial vegetable. Just like Sea Kale, the Giant Sea Kale can be harvested for its young leaves, flower buds in the “broccoli” stage as well as flowers and roots. Grows as a large perennial mound 1.5′ to 2′ tall with flower stalks that can reach up to 4 feet tall or more. A very fun and exciting perennial vegetable to add to the garden.

Latin Name: Crambe cordifolia
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -25° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland except the occasional aphids and slugs
USDA Zone: 5

The post Giant Sea Kale appeared first on One Green World.

Big, bold tropical looking leaves that nearly resemble a terrestrial lily pad, or something of the sort, and are sure to cheer you up year round with their big round leaves and playful little yellow flowers. Giant Leopard Plant can take a good bit of shade and soggy conditions, something that we often have here in the Pacific Northwest.

Evergreen in zone 8 and easily hardy in zone 7 if provided good mulch around the roots, though they will die back in very cold winters, but come back happily the following spring.

Latin Name: Farfugium japonicum ‘Gigantea’
Site and Soil: Leopard plants likes morning sun or dappled shade and moist soil.
Hardiness: 0º F.
Bearing Age: As soon as there are enough leaf stalks to harvest without stressing the plant.
Size at Maturity: 1-2 ft. in height by 2-3 ft. wide
Bloom Time: Fall
Pests & Diseases: Variegated Leopard Plant is not bothered by significant pest or disease problems.
USDA Zone: 7
Sunset Western Zone: 2B-9, 14-17
Sunset Northeast Zone: 31, 32, 34-41

The post Giant Leopard Plant appeared first on One Green World.

Native to many a northern coastline on the Pacific and Atlantic, this uniquely briny plant delivers the oceanic taste of oysters, anchovies and mushrooms in its fleshy blue-green leaves. A small bite of the leaf and you’ll think you’ve just slurped down a fresh oyster from the Puget Sound.  It’s quickly becoming a favorite with chefs and works well in many dishes to add a seafood flare without having to break out the shucking knife. With a similar leaf color to Sea Kale, you could make a fantastic oceanic perennial veggie garden with these! Maybe plant a thicket of Sea Berry behind it all and call it a plant life aquatic?

Finally, a vegan alternative to the briny bivalves for our vegan friend Colin! He says, “what’s a bivalve?”

Latin Name: Mertensia maritima
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -40° F.
Size at Maturity: 6″ in height by 2-3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: Slugs love the leaves as much as we do. Strange as they taste so sea-salty and salt kills slugs. Plant in a container or mulch with something slugs don’t like.
USDA Zone: 3

The post Oyster Leaf appeared first on One Green World.