Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • Easy to grow. Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 59°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomatoes, cucumbers

Your comments and tips

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04 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet - where to buy JA.
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11 Jul 19, Vikas Beri (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm in Townsville. Where can I buy /get by post ?..Jerusalem Artichoke tubers to plant ?
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17 Jul 19, Lorelei White (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Green Harvest at Witta near Maleny have online store. I just bought my Jerusalem Artichokes at QLD Garden Show from their stall. I just planted mine today following the instructions from Green Harvest also available online. Good luck Lol White
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12 Jul 19, Dianne (Australia - arid climate)
Bunnings sells an 8-pack (Bloomin' Bulbs range) that is available in most stores. (I checked availability for Mackay recently and noticed that a bunch of stores all the way up the coast stocked them as well.) If they don't have any, it might be worth checking Mitre 10. I recall the store in Sarina having some and suspect that it might be something that the chain stocks on a regular basis. Best wishes in finding some bulbs near where you live!
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12 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look on the internet.
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26 May 19, Alicia Korte (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I am ready to harvest my Jerusalem do I leave them in the ground to harvest them again in September or do I pick them now to be planted then?
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01 Jun 19, karyn (Australia - temperate climate)
was thinking about harvesting mine too today would love some feedback on this xX
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15 Sep 23, Mike Labuschagne (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
It is recommended to leave the tubers in the soil, they will grow by themselves when the climate allows them to.
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17 May 19, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
So if I've just been given tubers (good gardener but never grown them before), they need to be stored like other tubers (spuds/kumaras) over winter? I have a couple of areas on the north side of a stucco house that definitely doesn't get frost - has anyone planted now and managed to overwinter them in the ground ok?
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19 May 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Mike, you can leave the tubers in the ground in warmer areas of NZ, we have done that in Northland. In fact it is difficult to find all the tubers, so they will probably shoot up in the Spring even if you have light frosts.
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Showing 91 - 100 of 304 comments
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I've been growing these for some years now and am a huge fan. Absolutely LOVE them. So do my chickens, turkeys, horses, sheep, cattle and dogs. All except dogs will eat tops and tubers. Dogs only eat the tubers. Cats don't much care for any part of them tho. Cooking tips: I like them best roasted. Cut into 1" x 1" (2cm x 2cm) or so, put on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive or coconut oil, salt, pepper maybe a little basil or rosemary. Roast at 350F (180C) for 25 - 40 min. They come out about the same consistency as roasted garlic - almost like a paste. Use on a nice cracker with a small slice of cream cheese. Side with a glass of a nice, oaky Chardonnay, a good movie and a sexy friend. I'm done. Night, night. Growing tips: don't do anything to them except give them water and some good manure. If you want to get fancy, cut off the flowers and put them in a vase in the kitchen. (Stripping the flowers puts more energy into the tuber production.) Ungrowing tips: If you want to get rid of them, mow them off once a week and don't water. Turn out pigs or chickens. They will dig up every living morsel and consume it. CAUTION! Do NOT use a rototiller on them. It cuts the tubers into microslices and only encourages them to propagate. Enjoy your sunchokes. They are a gift from the gods.

- Deborah Wells

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