Perennials

Allison Bailey, Colby Legg, James Olson, Jade Velazquez, Sarah Weber

What Are Perennials?

Perennial plants are the backbone of a sustainable and thriving garden, yet they are often overlooked in favor of annuals. Unlike annual plants, which complete their life cycle in just one season and require replanting each year, perennials return season after season, providing long-term beauty, stability, and ecological benefits.

Unfortunately, many gardens and landscapes rely heavily on annuals, leading to increased costs, labor, and environmental impact. Perennials, on the other hand, improve soil health, support pollinators, and require less water and maintenance over time.

By shifting our focus to perennials, we can create more resilient and sustainable green spaces that benefit both people and the planet.

Issues

Global

National

Local

Global

Not using perennials in global agriculture leads to many environmental, economic, and food security issues. Annual crops require tilling, which disrupts soil structure, causing the soil to struggle to retain nutrients and water. One issue with not using perennials is the ongoing requirement for fertilizers and pesticides, which can lead to water pollution and soil acidification. A heavy dependence on annual crops also exposes global food systems to the threats of climate change; without a variety of resilient crops, communities face increased risks of food shortages and economic instability.

National

Perennial farming in America does not receive enough financial support from the federal government. Our country has not shifted to planting more perennials for a number of reasons, such as lower yield, the time required for perennial crops to start producing, etc. But, perennials also require less resources than other crops such as annuals. This may include a decrease labor, planting, and maintenance required. Perennials also allow for less tilling, which is better for the soil health and overall sustainable efficiency.

Local

The SAP is surrounded by a lot of potential land that could be used for expansion and new growth. The SAP currently uses lots of annual plants, meaning that they grow for only one season before harvesting. Perennials would be a new addition to the SAP that could last for many years, perennials would work towards permaculture and also help lower the workload while keeping yields up as they don’t need replanting each season.

Implementation

We plan to fill the SAP with more perennials that can create a renewing source of product from the farm. The SAP already has many perennials that we would like to expand on. The SAP holds a different variety of fruit trees, including apple, peach, sumac, and persimmon trees. With our plan, these trees can be complimented by more perennial trees, bushes, and vegetables. We plan to implement four tree, four bush, and four vegetable perennials. The implementation for all of these will start in the greenhouse, away from any disruptions, such as pests.

Trees & Bushes

After growing large enough to sustain themselves, the SAP's new trees and bushes would be transported to their final growing space. The trees that we wish to grow include cherry trees, apple trees, pear trees, and chestnut trees. Our proposed placement of these trees is in a new, unused area in the front fields next to the south fields. The perennial bushes would follow the same steps, and plan on implementing raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

Vegetables

The perennial vegetables would be implemented within the greenhouses after the harvest of current annual crops. We plan to introduce asparagus, kale, artichokes, and garlic as our perennial vegetables at the SAP. The implementation of these crops would create less work and stress on their harvest and replanting as they regrow from their roots in the coming year. These new plants would also add more variety to the SAP farmers market.

Timeline

Creating a Perennial Forest involves a multi-year process of planning, planting, and maintaining a diverse ecosystem. In the first year, you'll focus on assessing the site, preparing the soil, and planting trees like fruit and nitrogen-fixing species, along with setting up irrigation and mulching. Over the next couple of years (2-3), the focus shifts to establishing understory crops, pruning trees, and managing pests, while introducing companion planting and organic fertilizers to maintain soil health. By years 4-6, the forest begins to mature, and you can start harvesting fruits, nuts, and other crops, all while continuing to promote biodiversity and applying agroforestry practices like rotational grazing. After year 7, the forest reaches its full potential, with ongoing harvesting, ecosystem monitoring, and maintenance to keep it sustainable. Growing seasons typically run from April to October, with peak growth in the summer months, and the overall goal is to maintain healthy soil, minimize the use of external inputs, and rotate crops to ensure long-term productivity and biodiversity.

Budget

Implementing many perennials requires a substantial investment, with initial costs around $12,800 for planning, land preparation, and planting in the first year. It is important to remember this investment can be worthwhile with the great sustainability perennials offer us! Over the next few years, maintenance costs (such as organic fertilizers, pest management, and pruning) will amount to roughly $14,000 in years 2-3. By years 4-6, as the forest matures, you’ll spend approximately $27,500 on harvesting, monitoring, and continued maintenance. After year 7, annual costs of $8,000 for ongoing labor and $7,500 for harvesting and value-added products will continue. The total estimated budget for the first seven years is approximately $86,500, with additional revenue generated from harvesting fruits, nuts, and value-added products, which will gradually offset these costs. Securing grants or subsidies for sustainable agriculture and agroforestry could help cover a significant portion of the initial investment. Over time, the forest becomes more self-sustaining, generating income from various crops and products while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Triple Bottom Analysis

Social

Perennials play a key role in providing communities with a consistent, long-term food source. The fresh fruits and vegetables they yield not only improve nutrition but also reduce the reliance on processed foods, promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Environmental

Fruiting trees, as perennials, play a crucial role in the environment. They absorb CO2, aiding in the fight against climate change. Perennials also contribute to soil health and erosion control. Moreover, they provide habitat and food for bees, butterflies, and birds, supporting biodiversity. Their low maintenance requirements, compared to annual crops, also mean less tilling, fertilizers, and water over time, further reducing their environmental impact.

Financial

Perennials offer a significant advantage in terms of lower long-term costs. Once established, they require less maintenance than annuals, thereby reducing labor and input costs. This not only allows farmers and homeowners to harvest and sell fruits and nuts yearly without having to buy annuals but also adds long-term value to their land and homes.

References

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"What Are Perennials?" Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College, serc.carleton.edu/integrate/teaching_materials/food_supply/student_materials/1102

"Perennials." University of Maryland Extension, extension.umd.edu/resource/perennials.