There is a large problem for city preppers; they can’t plant gardens because their home owner’s association prohibits it. We found a way around it that lets you have your Prepper Garden, and eat it too!
Creating a mini forest in your garden or at the back of your home is not a bad idea, and it allows you to plant everything you need. Interestingly, you don’t need a lot of land space to plant most of these perennials as all you need is a little creativity, and you are good to go.
Perennials For Prepper Gardens
However, you may want to check some of the seeds you throw out as it is best to sprinkle edible weeds and trees so you can enjoy them when the time is right. A lot of them do not only taste great, but they do have health benefits when consumed or used otherwise. So, not sure which plants to add to your garden? Here are a few ideas you can consider…
Great For Consumption
These plants are great for adding to your favorite dishes, or you can use them to create some delicious servings for yourself and your family. A lot of these also have health benefits:
Artichokes – When steamed, Artichoke petals, as well as the hearts, can be used to create a delicious dip or sauce for your salads and other meals.
Asparagus – There are so many ways to eat Asparagus, thus, planting them is a great choice as they can even serve you for a long time. Doesn’t it sound like it can eat as is? Well, yes, it can. Eating the plant raw is one of the best ways of getting the most of the nutrients compared to when heated. You can even add to your salads.
Dandelions – Dandelions serve a lot of purposes to include complementing your dishes and granting amazing health benefits. The leaves can be used to make a sumptuous salad, while the blossoms can be used for making wines or jelly. I know it seems like a strange item for a prepper garden, but the French brought them over to us for a reason – they are almost a superfood!
Hosta – All varieties of Hostas are edible, but the most common is the Montanas. After harvesting, cooking over low flames in a little honey and soy sauce, or virgin oil will leave your tastebuds desiring more. You can also cut and add it to your salads.
Rosemary – Rosemary has a satisfying flavor and is great to add to any meal you are preparing. Whether you want to let the leaves remain whole or you want to grind, you can use them to marinate your meats or add to your pot while cooking. It helps to lift the flavor of your dish.
Scallions – Scallions can be eaten raw or slightly cooked and help to bring out a great aroma in your meals. When cooking, add Scallions whole or chopped as a last-minute ingredient for your sauce. You can also add it to your salads fresh after harvesting.
Parsley – Parsley is great for cooking or even to use as a garnish. You can add it to your eggs, soups, frittatas, pizza, or bread. Interestingly, you can also add Parsley to your smoothies for flavor in addition to the nutrients it provides (rich in vitamins A & C).
Thyme – Thyme is great for cooking, especially when freshly harvested. It helps to bring a great taste and aroma to your dish, whether meat, soup, or sauce (both leaves and stem can be used). Also, you can use dried thyme to make tea or infused water.
Lavender – This flower not only has a great aroma and beautifies your space, but it tastes great and is a great choice to add to your salad. You can eat it raw or have it slightly heated. The plant also has a lot of health benefits and should be a staple in your prepper garden.
Chives – Chives are a great vegetable to add to your dish, also, to be used as a decorative or garnish element. It helps to provide a fresh taste to your meal, whether soups, sauces, salads, stir-fries, or mashed potatoes. If you are looking to add a taste of onion to your dish, Chives are a great substitute.
Great For Medicinal Benefits
These backyard garden plants are all edible, but not only do they taste great, but they are also rich in medicinal benefits. When considering a plant-rich background, here are a few plants you can add…
Comfrey – If you have sore muscles, especially after working out, you can apply a comfrey-infused salve to the area. It has also been given the nickname “knit bone” as it is great in providing fast healing benefits to wounds.
Raspberry – Raspberries are rich in multi-functional antioxidants and are known as antioxidant powerhouses. They have been proven to provide anti-aging elements as well as reduce the chances of developing cancer, inflammation, heart disease, and diabetes. It is also great with weight loss and reducing the risks of obesity.
Blueberry – Not all fruits are low in calories, but Blueberries are an exception and, besides, are high in nutrients. It also possesses lots of antioxidants that help to reduce DNA damage, prevent aging and cancer, lowers blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in your blood.
Strawberry – Strawberries have a lot of antioxidant benefits that help to reduce stress, inflammation, and harmful cholesterol levels (LDL – bad). Eating Strawberries will help to improve vascular function and blood lipid profile. You can also consume this plant in a variety of ways.
Horehound – Horehounds are edible plants that are great for improving digestion and appetite. It also helps with bloating, diarrhea, gas, constipation, indigestion, liver, and gall bladder complaints. Horehound is also beneficial and helpful in treating asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, and other breathing problems.
Mint – Mint is rich in nutrients, and aside from tasting great, it helps to improve brain function, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and your immune system against colds and touches of flu. Adding Mint to your diet will also help to relieve indigestion, breastfeeding pains, and is a great substitute to lower the chances of bad breath.
Oregano – Oregano is a known natural antibiotic that may help in reducing cholesterol levels, treating yeast infections, inflammation, and pain. It also possesses properties that may help with preventing cancer and is said to have high antioxidant levels.
Mullein – Do you have a terrible cough or whooping cough? Consuming some Mullein will help a lot. It is also great for treating bronchitis, hoarseness, colds, allergies, tuberculosis, and sore throat. Mullein can also help with migraines, colic, joint pains, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Bee Balm – Sipping on Bee Balm will help to treat colds and flu, improve your digestive tract as well as treat indigestion. The plant possesses soothing properties that may help with eliminating nausea, bloating, anxiety, and help to relax you.
Chinese Chives – This plant has a lot of health benefits and is said to possess anticancer effects to help prevent and treat various types of cancer. It also has beneficial elements to help against heart defects, depression, preterm birth, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other congenital heart defects. Chinese Chives are also great for improving cognitive function.
Yarrow – Yarrow is great for reducing bleeding caused by wounds as well as help to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. Consuming this plant will also help to lower high blood pressure, tone varicose veins, and relieve GI ailments for cerebral and coronary thrombosis. You can also use Yarrow to help induce sweating.
Sage – Sage has a lot of antioxidants, which is great for lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, improving oral health, brain, and memory function. The plant is also great for easing menopause symptoms.
Echinacea – When steeped, Echinacea is great for fighting flu and colds, improving blood sugar and blood pressure levels, managing anxiety, reducing inflammation, and improving healthy cell growth. This is important for your prepper garden as we saw with the coronavirus and how these kinds of meds were wiped off the shelves!
Lemon Balm – If you are looking for an effective way to relieve stress, anxiety, indigestion, and nausea, then consuming some Lemon Balm is a great choice. The plant has properties to help you boost cognitive function, improve sleep apnea, and treat common health issues like colds and flu.
Motherwort – Motherwort could be considered the healing element of the heart as it is great for most heart conditions to include irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and other conditions affecting the heart. It is also great for relieving menstrual cramps, treating intestinal gas, and hyperthyroidism.
Arnica – For those who work out a lot, you may want to have this plant at your disposal. It is great for treating sprains, wounds, joint pain, bruises, and muscle aches. The plant can also be used to treat inflammation caused by swelling (from broken bones) and insect bites.
Skullcap – Take a few sips of Skullcap tea, and your insomnia will be gone. That is what makes it perfect for a prepper garden. Aside from helping with sleeping problems, it is also great for reducing and treating anxiety, risk of strokes, and paralysis caused by stroke. It is great for treating colds and flu, reducing high cholesterol, reducing artery-hardening, and much more. Other known benefits include helping with skin infection, allergies, rabies, and nervous tension.
Hyssop – Hyssop is great for reducing or treating digestive and intestinal problems like gallbladder and liver conditions, intestinal pain, and gas, as well as colic and loss of appetite. You can also consume Hyssop to treat respiratory problems like colds, infections, sore throat, and asthma.
If this list seems overwhelming, think about this; plant a few each year. I use my dehydrator to help me preserve my herbs for future use and you can too! Blend the edible with the flowering herbs and you will build your prepper garden in no time! If you need to know more about gardening, check out our sister site: Try To Garden.
