Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in New Zealand - cool/mountain 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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12 May 19, j0hn farrugia (Australia - temperate climate)
how do you keep artichokes for the following year for replanting >?
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06 Jun 20, GERRY C (Australia - temperate climate)
I know it's late but was looking up more info on them and saw this. I store them like I do bulbs, in a small cardboard box with air holes in a dark cupboard in the shed. I normally harvest through autumn and plant next years through spring. Don't know if it's the best way but works for me.
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24 May 19, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
I just leave a few tubers in the ground. They regrow in the spring so long as they get a bit of water. Frost doesn't stop them.
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04 Apr 19, Jill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've just dug up my tubers, in early April - a bit prematurely it appears, as I believe spring is the best time to plant them, August to October. How should I now store them so they won't rot or dry out till then? Or should I just replant them now??
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24 May 19, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
I would just put a few back in the ground. They'll regrow in spring. Very hard to kill.
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04 May 19, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I keep mine in a plastic bag at the back of the fridge... checking now and again to make sure they don't get wet. They last for months for eating (but I haven't tried replanting those).
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01 Apr 19, Helen peipi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My j/a are 3mtrs tall with lovely flowers, and are growing like wildflowers they are absolutely lovely, this is their 2nd season growing. I watered them everyday with plenty water. The tubes are massive. Not eating yet, just want them to grow. I live in Murupara, NZ.
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23 Apr 19, Shane Rudolph (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Helen, could I get your contact number please.
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07 Apr 19, Lyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Wow, sounds like the height hasn't lowered your yield, I will await and see what happens with mine :) As I am Tauranga area I am guessing similar climate
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31 Mar 19, Helen Peipi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you still need some j/a, the bottom leaves are slowly going btown
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Showing 101 - 110 of 304 comments
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It took a while but I have learned to love Sunchokes. Undoubtedly the easiest and most prolific vegetable of them all. But what to do with them ? Boil them, roast them, grate them into salads, slice them into stir fry. I use them mainly as a filler. They thicken soups and stews and I mash them up with my spuds. Very economical. they don’t have a long shelf life (which is why they are ridiculously expensive) so I tend to leave them in the ground until I use them. If you have a lot of sunchokes - and you will - you can be brutal when you peel them. But keep the peelings out of the compost or you’ll end up with sunchokes everywhere ! Warning : They can be ‘noisy’. Not recommended for date night or before attending the cinema.

- Jamie

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