Topic: Raised Bed Plants Recommendation Please

[rutters]

Got a spare raised bed 10'x5' and am looking for something to grow in it. Preferably it's perennial, low maintenance and edible (fruit OR veg).

Got strawberries in the other one which I appreciate as they look after themselves.

Thanks 

[mrrigsby]

How about asparagus? A little initial preparation then you're good for 20 years.

[Ellen K]

Autumn raspberries?  They are quite tough, should like having roots above ground level and you get raspberries.

What's not to love?

[ed dibbles]

I'll suggest one of the perennial kales. Good for three to five years and can be kept going from cuttings.

[Deb P]

I have rhubarb, pinkcurrants and artichokes grown from seed in my 'spare' raised bed when I had a similar problem.....

[rutters]

Thanks to all. Tried asparagus but failed abysmally

Any more info on pink currants, are they sweet? 

Another thought I had was cape gooseberries. Anyone grow these as an outdoor perennial?

Thanks again

[Deb P]

Pinkcurrants are very sweet, I prefer them to redcurrants and they look attractive too, the birds don'yt seem to go for them as much either. Gloire du Sablon is the variety I have. I've also got some growing in metal buckets where I moved them from my other plot, they seem quite happy!

[squeezyjohn]

I have managed to nurse my cape gooseberries through 2 winters now in a greenhouse - but that's only with protection from any frost - they are definitely tender.  I think you'd only get them through winter outside in an extremely sheltered spot if you cut them down to the stumps in autumn and gave them a very generous coat of straw - even then it's not guaranteed.  They self seed - but I find that the seeds only germinate outside quite late on in the summer - probably too late to get a crop from.

My suggestions would be Taunton Deane Kale if you can net it up to 7 foot tall! (I can send you some stems to get you started if you like - one of my plants lasted 7 years) ... also globe artichokes are a nice easy maintenance perennial.  I'm tempted to say give asparagus another chance because my first attempt was absolutely disastrous too - but my second attempt with better 2 year old crowns from a proper asparagus nursery and far more careful soil preparation and care through the first year has been rewarded with a really good established bed which looks strong enough to last for years now.

[rutters]

Thank you so much for your helpful advice and extremely kind offer.

My first choice was asparagus but I just couldn't get it to'take'. Only got 1 or 2 spindly stalks. I don't think it was sunny enough and the soil not fine enough.

Thanks again