Vegetables That Self-Propagate

Onions

• One of the most hardy and prolific of onion plants is the Egyptian onion, sometimes known as a walking onion because of its tendency to plant itself across a garden bed. The bloom on the top of the plant falls over when it gets too heavy, thereby self-propagating. This onion must be contained in a garden bed, but will provide onions for years to come.

Artichokes & Cardoons

• Artichokes are a bit less hardy but can tolerate a mild winter. The plant can grow up to six feet in height, with gray-green leaves and a towering flower. Buds should be harvested when they are young, but leave some on the plants to go to seed for propagation purposes. Jerusalem artichokes are a type of sunflower whose tubers are dug up and eaten like potatoes. Propagation is done in a similar fashion to a potato, by leaving a sliver of tuber in the ground. The cardoon is grown for its stalk, which is eaten like celery. It has a beautiful blue puff flower and gets up to 4 feet tall.

Horseradish

• Fresh horseradish is pungent and packed with flavor. If you harvest the side roots annually and let the main root stay intact, you can have horseradish for years.

Sorrel and Radicchio

• These two vegetables are most commonly used in salads or soups. Sorrel has a slight lemon flavor and is considered a perennial in warmer climates. Radicchio is also known as Italian chicory and must be protected from severe frosts as well. Harvest the head by cutting it from the root at ground level.

Asparagus

• Asparagus has deep, spreading roots. Start with male seeds, which produce larger and more abundant spears. Asparagus should not be harvested the first year it is planted and only lightly harvested the second year, to encourage its growth.

Tomatillos

• While technically a fruit, tomatillos are used like a vegetable. They resemble a small, unripe tomato and are green or yellow. Tomatillos are often used in Mexican dishes, salsa and salads. They are prolific and self-propagating.