In a year like this, perennials are a salvation. It's been a nightmare trying to get in annual crops this year, but my perennials are doing very well. As you observed, it's a major investment in time and money but can certainly pay off. I have 50 fruit trees, and they are just coming of bearing age, but demand is there. Peaches sell for $50 bushel and they produce pretty quickly---unlike most apples and pears. Pears, both Asian and European, are pretty trouble free and are amazing once they get going. Grapes do ok but have not been a huge seller. I have Concord and several new seedless varieties. Blackberries are definitely worthwhile as are raspberries. Rhubarb is ok and pretty trouble free once it starts; however, I've had trouble in our climate getting it established what with the floods and drought. Strawberries are usually in demand but can be quite demanding w/their upkeep. I have several mints, and they are trouble free but don't sell all that well. Still, they are good to have around. One crop you absolutely should get are blueberries. They can be tricky to establish but are always in high demand and command a good price. I also dabble in aronia, elderberries, currants, cherries, paw paws, apricots, plums, and gooseberries. In the right market, these could do well. The most important thing to know is that each of these crops has very special needs in regard to ph, fertilizing, pruning, spraying, trellising, shaping, spreading, and thinning. I suggest you spend a lot of time on the fruit forum before committing to all the expense and trouble these crops require.

Thanks Brookw! Do you have any perennial vegetables you would recommend?

Here in lllinois we can't grow many, so others might be better suited to answer that

I do rhubarb, asparagus, raspberries, strawberries, grapes and blackberries and all are really popular and profitable

Being I just rent I have been reticent to plant too many perennials. I did strawberries and sunchokes (well if sunchokes are a perennial then garlic and shallots are too) and have lots of rhubarb and herbs. Asparagus is very much desired.

Little Minnie, Sunchoke are the ones with the edible tubers? If so, where did you order them? I can't seem to find them. Thx.

I've had Jerusalem artichokes and they are very good...they are like crispy raw potatoes.

Asparagus is always a good sellers, unless someone else has acres. Established can produce for 20+ years.

Blueberries, there are blueberries for northern and southern growers, be sure to pick the right ones for your area. And they can produce for 60 years.

As Brookw mentioned, southern climates and northern climates are SO different, you have to grow what will work on your ground. Believe me, I moved from Indiana to Florida and expected to grow like Indiana....Boy was I surprised.