Perennial Crops for Small Farms

[@kariselin1484]

I live in zone 6 and tree collards are great because you can take cuttings in the fall and root them easy indoors and then always have huge purple kale looking plants in your yard!!

[@Jefferdaughter]

Thank you for posting this and sharing all the great info! It is refreshing to also hear of alternatives to the same old boring vegetables. BTW, the common burdock cursed by many as a 'weed' makes a shorter, but relatively thicker root, depending on growing conditions, that we find to be every bit as tasty as the 'domestic' version shown here. It is a biennial, however, and obviously, if one is harvesting the root, it does not matter much if the plant is perennial. Jerusalem artichoke may be an exception, as it is virtually impossible to get every last little tuber.On harvesting, Mark Shepard uses machines, if I recall correctly, to harvest his hazelnuts.

[@Jefferdaughter]

Good to hear mention of Mark Shepard's 'Regenerative Agriculture' here. He has recreated the native savanna on his 100+ acre farm in Wisconsin. Now over 20 years old, his operation mimics nature by moving grazing animals, swine, and poultry across the land with grasses under fruiting bushes, and fruit and nut trees. In the early years, they practiced alley cropping between the rows of young trees and shrubs.BTW, the scarlet runner bean bears flowers of different colors depending on the variety. I would be interested to hear if anyone is successful in growing them as a perennial in USDA hardiness zone 5 or 6.

[@mariannegibson1407]

Great information, thank you for sharing!

[@jamaicanmom]

Great video. Thanks so much for sharing the knowledge.

[@pedrodomilod7802]

jamaicanmom

[@alphasxsignal]

Very nice information.

[@JordanStojanov]

Great info,Thanks for the uplod and the info..am also for sustan life...love and grow..

[@Jefferdaughter]

It always cracks me up to hear warnings of too much food without effort, ie 'invasive' edibles. Who was it who said, 'We try to grow the things that want to die, and kill the things that want to grow.' Jerusalem artichokes can easily be eradicated by grazing, and pigs or hogs WILL find every last tuber if left on the area for awhile. Where ostrich fern is native, we have not noticed it taking over areas where it is unwanted, but it tends to thrive where few other plants will, and virtually no ordinary edible crops.On the potential for digestive upset with Jerusalem artichokes - people who are not accustomed to eating foods high in inulin should eat small amounts at first, and allow their gut microbes to adjust. The flavor varies a bit from one variety or cultivar to another, but we find them delicious, with a slightly nutty flavor. We like them sautéed in butter, or included in a stir-fry.

[@Jefferdaughter]

Instead of, or in addition to, conventional irrigation, keyline design can provide the water crops need. Mark Shepard's book has info on this topic.

[@pedrodomilod7802]

Jefferdaughter

[@gardenfornutrition6373]

Appreciate the attempt, but most of these roots are high in inulin, which is very hard to digest. Most of the greens are high in oxalates which bind calcium.

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

That's what cooking is for, as the presenter mentioned.

[@yeshuaisthewaythetruthandt515]

Thanku

[@Jefferdaughter]

Other approaches to sustainable - even regenerative - agriculture include 'pasture cropping'. Colin Seis in Australia has been successfully producing small grain crops by no-tilling into established pasture without the use of fertilizers or herbicides. He has his sheep crop the pasture closely, then drills into the pasture. The grasses and forbs act as living mulch, holding soil in place against erosion by wind or rain. The legumes in the pasture provide nitrogen, and the pasture sward reduced moisture while suppressing annual weeds. As soon as the grain is harvested, the pasture responds to the additional light with vigorous regrowth, and can be included in the grazing plan. See the KZbin videos for more info, but as I recall, he does this on a pasture about once every three years. Gabe Brown is another once conventional chemical-dependent farmer in North Dakota who has kicked the chemical habit and has built soil fertility through the use of cover crops, but also by integrating pasture rotations with cattle, sheep, and goats on a large acreage operation.

[@pedrodomilod7802]

Jefferdaughter

[@pedrodomilod7802]

Jefferdaughterl