Perennial Crops in MINNESOTA

(All native crops marked in green)

• VEGGIES

Asparagus, Rhubarb, Dandelions, Nettles, Ostrich Fern, Lamb’s Quarters, Black

Locust, Staghorn Sumac, Basswood Linden, Parsnip, Common Milkweed, Virginia
Waterleaf,

• HERBS

Horseradish, Garlic, Lemon Sorrel, Mint, Thyme, Shallots, Chives, Rose Hips, Bee-
balm, Ramp, Black Locust, Staghorn Sumac, catnip, Sage, Sweet Grass, Hops

• FRUITS and NUTS

Chokecherry, Saskatoon (Serviceberry), Raspberry, Viburnum Black Haw,

Blueberry, Mulberry, Cherry Bush (Nanking), Cherry Tree, Apples, Pears, Grapes,
Chokeberry, Currant, Elderberry, Filbert, Kiwi (Artic Beauty), Cowberry, Plum,
Strawberry, Black Walnut, Butternut, Highbush Cranberry,

• SELF SEEDING ANNUALS and BIENNIALS

Spinach, Red Spinach, Gobo (Burdock), sunflowers, Lamb’s Quarters, mustard

greens, Epizote, Sweet Annie, Dill, Garlic, Shallots, Cilantro, Squash

GENERAL TIPS FOR:

SUSTAINABLE RESTORATIVE LANDSCAPING
Compost cures the gardens many ailments...Food and habitat not lawns, or sod
grass...Grow many layers of canopy...Incorporate native plants...Plant Rain
Gardens! Use rain barrels! Stop using peat moss go with Coir or home made worm
castings instead...Grow compost, reduce waste! Grow food at home! Share your
harvest...Preserve your harvest...Shop Locally...Save Seeds...Provide garden space
for those without land access! Join a garden club...Garden with kids! Plant trees!!
Use companion and ally plantings...Dialogue with your neighbors before cutting
down or planting trees that will change their landscape or view...Forget the
chemicals, only plants as pesticides and compost as fertilizer! Honor your
interactions with the Earth and it’s many residents.
 PLANT ALLIES:

Ally: Plant Aided:

Basil Tomatoes, Asparagus, Sweet Peppers

Beans General, Corn, cucumber, potato, squash
Bee Balm Tomatoes
Borage Squash, strawberry, Tomato, Fruit Trees
Buckwheat (as cover crop) Fruit trees
Bush Bean Cucumbers, Strawberry
Caraway Fruit trees
Catnip General (repels insects)
Celery Leeks, Tomatoes, Cauliflower, Cabbage
Chamomile Brassicas,
Chives Fruit Trees
Clover, (red and white) Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn,
Fruit trees, Many Vegetables
Cucumber Beans, Peas, Radishes, Corn
Collards Tomatoes
Coriander Fruit trees, many Vegetables
Corn Beans, Squash, Pumpkin, Many Vegetables
Dandelions Fruit Trees
Dill General, Brassicas, Fruit Trees, Tomatoes
Garlic General
Hairy Vetch Rutabaga
Horseradish Potato
Hyssop Cabbage, Grape
Kohlrabi Onions, Beets
Lamb’s Quarters Collards, Cauliflower
Leeks Celery, Onions, Carrots
Lettuce Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Cucumber, Carrot
Marigold General, Fruit Trees
Mint General,
Mustard General
Nasturtium General, Radish
Onion Family General
Oregano Beans, Cucumber, Squash
Parsley Asparagus, Tomato
Peas Carrot, Corn, Turnip
Pennyroyal General
Pigweed (Amaranthus) Collards, Corn, Onion, Potato
Potato Beans, Corn, Eggplant
Radish Brassicas, Cucumber, Lettuce, Squash, Sweet potato
Ragweed Collards, Corn
Raspberry Fruit Trees
Rye (when used as a cover crop) Fruit trees
Sage Brassicas, Carrot, Marjoram, Strawberry, Tomato
Savory Beans, Onion, Sweet Potato
Strawberry Spinach
Thyme General
Watermelon Potatoes
Wormwood Brassicas

Resources:
Books to read include:
The Forager’s Harvest by Samuel Thayer
Edible wild plants, uses and recipes, safe identification guide, harvest information…..
Food Not Lawns by H.C. Flores
Build soil, raise food, promote bio-diversity, increased habitat, grow community, reconnect
with the Earth!
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz
Vegetable fermentation, food storage, cheese, wine, beer, miso, kombucha, sauerkraut, kim-
chi …. Why and how to experience wild fermentation!
The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
By Tanya L.K. Denckla
How to guide to every veggie, fruit, or herb you ever wanted to grow including companion
plantings, pest control, crop rotation, yield estimates, and more organic garden technique.
Carrots Love Tomatoes By Louise Riotte
Companion plants and much more.
Visit the following fine websites:
www.givingtreegardens.com
Have a look at the services, events, or community pages and make sure you take a look
through the informative free newsletter THE SEED!
www.motherearthnews.com
Great links, advice, organic ideas, sustainable living
www.sprout.mn/
Local sustainable living links, all the Twin Cities best sustainable businesses and
organizations.