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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16 Oct 23, Tina (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Yikes, I thought I could grow Sunchokes in zone 5 and bought a few. What do I do now? Can I still plant them in sunny spot or eat and wait next year? Are they still good if they got soft? I forgot them in the garage for a week. Thanks!
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15 Oct 23, Dave M. (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Could you point me towards an NZ supplier please. Not having much luck finding one. Thank you.
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18 Nov 23, Cesare Stella (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
just get some from the supermarket
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19 Oct 23, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet.
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01 Oct 23, Murray (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I live in the South Cariboo. I have been asking where to get Jerusalem Artichokes, many of my friends are interested in getting Jerusalem Artichokes, but no one seems to know where to get them. Is there easy access to buying them?
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21 Dec 23, Regina (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Where I ordered mine. https://certifiedseeds.ca/search?type=product&q=jerusalem+artichokes
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06 Oct 23, Jeanna (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I buy mine on Etsy. Here is a link to a page of them. https://www.etsy.com/search?q=jerusalem%20artichokes&ref=search_bar
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03 Oct 23, Anonymous (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Try on the internet - seed selling companies
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30 Sep 23, Lynn (Canada - Zone 4b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I grew this plant from seed and planted them a few years ago. They grew very tall but did not flower yet and there are no tubers at all. Any suggestions on why there are no tubers to harvest after at least 2 years in the ground. Thanks for your help. Lynn
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15 Sep 23, DAVID FIELD (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I AM LOOKING FOR JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE TUBERS TO PLANT
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Showing 11 - 20 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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