I have perennial beds of asparagus, grapes (several kinds), rhubarb, blueberries and strawberries because those are what we love to eat. There are many other options - lots of leafy green perennials - depending on what you like to eat.

They all require some work but it is marginal compared to regular vegetable beds.

Rhubarb may be out for your location but a 4x8 bed of asparagus would be great.

Dave

I didn't realize asparagus was perennial. We love eating it, but I'm not sure how well it does in my area. It's always looked hard.

I appreciate the suggestions. Any vote on which of those options is the lowest maintenance of them all? Slugs are a problem in my area, so slug-resistant would be a bonus.

loribee2 I'm also in the "wine country" (Sonoma Co...Sonoma makes wine, Napa makes auto parts!) ;)....Anyway, an asparagus bed works well here! You just have to mulch it well to prevent weeds!
We have a 4x8 bed that is about 5 YO and we are actually getting tired of asparagus! I make soup, throw it on the grill a couple of times a week, toss it in a salad, use it in stir fry's etc etc.
Mulching and composting are the main thing, though. Nancy

LOL Nancy, I love it. Rohnert Park here. We always eyeroll when people from out of town gush over Napa and wine.

Thanks for the tip on asparagus. I've been reading some articles on the internet about it. I still have not figured out the stalks and ferny stuff yet, how you grow it. But considering the cost in the stores, that sure might be an option. Just not sure it's low enough maintenance.

Have you ever grown blueberries or raspberries here? I know someone down in Marin who grows raspberries successfully, but I don't think he gets the fog I do.

Figs, hands down. You are also in fig country. My second choice would be artichokes, followed by a tie between cardoon and asparagus. But all my choices are based on what I like to eat, so...

Asparagus, of the ones I listed, requires the least work once the bed is established. Minimal pest issues and all it requires is good feeding 2-3 times per year, regular watering throughout the season, and a fall clean-up and mulching.

Figs is another good one IF you like figs. Berry bushes require more work IMO - more pest issues, pruning, netting, soil pH maintinance for blueberries, feeding, etc. Plus a 4x8 bed wouldn't produce much raspberries and can quickly become a thorny jungle. Strawberries require annual replace ment of some plants, rooting or pruning suckers, disease control, and slugs love them.

Dave

Thanks for the advice and recommendations. I didn't realize figs grew on anything but trees. Interesting.

well, you can make a bush out of a fig too.... same goes for pomegranates and feijoa

I'm a bit north of you, but my vote would be strawberries or raspberries. Strawberries are less work, but you would probably need to use something to control the slugs/snails. Beds need to be overhauled every 4-5 years. I have a 4x8 bed of raspberries and get enough for fresh eating plus I freeze a few quarts in the spring and the fall. Go for what you like to eat, that way the work won't seem as tedious.

Loribee, I had no luck with blueberries. Probably something with the soil type.....but they do have that big blueberry farm out on Occidental Rd heading out to the river, so it is possible!
With my asparagus, about now the spears seem to get thinner and thinner, so when I stop getting the big fattys it's time to let them go to fern (about now, actually). I might get a stray fat one, so I'll pick it and chop it up into a salad or eat it right in the garden. I cut them back when they start to turn brown, usually about Thanksgiving.
They do take a couple of years to get established, but after that! WooHoo!
I'm about 2 miles West of the Casino (GRRRRRRR) BTW. So similar growing conditions. Nancy

Thank you for the suggestions! Oh, so much to think about, but it's fun. I love reading up on things, planning, toying with ideas (more than the work of actually doing it, haha). So you've given me several options to turn over. I appreciate it.

I would go for strawberries or maybe some sort of berry bush - we can grow raspberries, blackberries and other similar types but have to choose varieties that are suited to our zone 9 climate. Not necessarily the ones available at the big box garden centers though - try a smaller local nursery or research/order online. Or asparagus or artichokes. which ever you eat more of. These are all expensive to buy at the grocery store so whichever you choose you would be better off growing it vs not.