A quirky and informative exploration of edible, medicinal and supporting perennial plants told from the plants' perspectives.
Growing Connections
Resources to help learn about, grow, and use useful perennial plants
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Figuring out where to look for useful perennial seeds, plants and information can certainly be a daunting task. Over the years, I have spent long hours looking through websites and books for what I needed. Through that process I have discovered some truly amazing resources. Some of the seed sources and plant nurseries I have ordered from and others, although I may not have personal experience with them, have really interesting selections of harder to find plants. I hope that the information here will save you some time and effort by helping you connect to the resources you need.
Plant Nurseries
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Whiffletree Farm and Nursery- excellent selection of unusual (as well as common) fruit trees, nut trees, berry bushes, and other edible and useful woody species
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Golden Bough Tree Farm-some useful and edible shrubs and trees
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Richters Herbs- many, many herbs and some unusual edible perennial plants (both herbaceous and woody) that can be bought in plug packs or individual pots
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Green Barn Nursery- great selection of fruit trees, nut trees and berry bushes with some unusual varieties
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Rhora's Nut Farm- if you want pine nut trees this is the place to go but they have a great selection of other nut trees too
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Norton Naturals- a small selection of hard to find native and perennial vegetables
Seed Sources (other than the plant itself!)
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Richters Herbs - a huge selection of herb seeds with some perennial veggies
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Terre Promise- not a lot of selection but some unusual ones not easily found elsewhere
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Fedco Seeds - primarily annual veggies but I ordered sea kale from here
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Experimental Farm Network - interesting selection and a really fascinating organization!
Books
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Barstow, S. (2014). Around the World in 80 Plants: An edible perennial vegetable adventure in temperate climates. East Meon: Permanent Publications. I love this book! The author earned the title of "Extreme Salad Man" when he made a salad with 537 species!
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Crawford, M. (2010). Creating a Forest Garden: Working with nature to grow edible crops. Cambridge: Green Books Ltd. Great introduction to forest gardens and edible and useful perennial plants
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Jacke, D., Toensmeier, E. (2005). Edible Forest Gardens: Volumes One and Two. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company. Amazing design information and the plant chart in the appendix section of volume two is comprehensive!
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Michael, P. (1986). A Country Harvest. London: Peerage Books. Although it's old, it has information on the history and uses of many edible and medicinal perennials
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Newcomb, L. (1977). Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. My favourite plant ID book! It's so easy to use
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Small, E. (2013). North American Cornucopia: Top 100 Indigenous Food Plants. Boca Raton: CRC Press. A FREE ONLINE book full of well researched, interesting and useful information on many native edible perennials.