After the arctic raspberry, this might be the next cold-hardiest of the blackberry/raspberry group. And, I mean… the fruit looks like a thimble. How cool is that? HERB LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 3 – 7 (can withstand cold to -40° F, -40° C) Soil PH: 6.0-7.0 Watering needs: Medium-low. Don’t overwater. But do keep them evenly moist long enough to […]
Spanish Sage, Salvia Lavandulifolia
Hardier, lower maintenance, longer lived, and colder tolerant than common garden sage, yet it can be used in the same recipes in the same way. HERB LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 8 (can withstand cold to -30° F, -37° C) Soil PH: 6.0 to 6.5 preferred,i but will also grow in higher alkaline soils. (≈ 6.0 – 8.5)ii Watering […]
Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana
One of the few leafy greens (not to mention the massive root, obviously) in the cabbage family that is truly perennial. Spicy, healthy, and one of the easiest herbs to grow!
Blue Giant Anise Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum
So beautiful! So versatile! So tasty… and yes, it has that wonderful anise “licorice” flavor that we all love—or should, if we don’t.
Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis
Get it started, and it will do the rest. A perfect candidate for food forest veggies.
French Sorrel, Rumex Scutatus
Picture lime-tinted chard or lettuce. It’s Romain meets rhubarb. In other words, you’ve got to try French Sorrel…
Lambsquarters, Chenopodium Album
Probably the wild edible I eat most, Lambsquarters is a delicious green that makes a great spinach substitute. Close relatives include red goosefoot, orach, quinoa, and dozens of other similar-tasting, similarly edible plants.