Perennial crops, which don’t need replanting, are cost-effective and eco-friendly. Fruits like berries, apples, and oranges are common, while kale, collard greens, and asparagus are some vegetables. Scientists are working on creating hybrid grains that return each year. Legumes like kudzu and runner beans are also available.
Perennial crops, which produce food each year without the need for replanting, may be one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly plant types to grow commercially. There are generally four types of this crop, some of which are more common than others. Many fruit varieties are naturally perennial, but there are far fewer vegetable crops that return each year. Generally, the cereals most commonly consumed by humans are annuals; however, due to the environmental and financial benefits of perennial crops, some hybrid cereals have been created that do not require replanting. There are also some legumes that fall into this category, although their uses vary by location.
Several fruits are perennial crops, including the more common berry plants and those grown on trees. These include raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, as well as apples, oranges and bananas. Fruits such as figs, avocados and grapes, as well as currants and apricots, are also perennial crops. While many fruits are perennial, many are not, including most melon and tomato varieties.
Generally, perennial greens are much harder to find than fruits. Although most greens or lettuce varieties only grow as annuals, kale, radish, and kale are all perennial crops. Collard greens, a richly nutritious vegetable, in most cases remain green and viable for the better half of the winter, provided it is cared for and only the leaves are harvested. Asparagus and rhubarb also fall into this category and are considered two of the easiest perennial crops to care for.
Nearly all grains consumed by humans are annuals, and because they form such a large part of the human diet in many countries, their commercial growth can, and does, have a negative impact on soils, not to mention the expense of production. For this reason, scientists work continuously on crossing annual grains with perennial crops in the same family to create a grain source that returns year after year, reducing the need to rotate crops or replant each spring. As of 2011, one of the only perennial grains available is a hybrid of wheat and wheatgrass, which is good for making flour.
There is usually not a large amount of perennial crops in the legume family. One of the most common, especially in Japan and China, is kudzu, which is usually ground and used to create small cakes. The goa bean, also known as the asparagus pea, is only considered a true comeback plant in very hot climates and runner beans are hugely popular in the UK.
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