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

13 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Jerusalem artichoke tubers are usually available from nurseries, garden centres or hardware stores such as Bunnings in the winter, along with seed potatoes, garlic, etc. When you have got them growing you will have them forever, but that's not such a bad thing. All the best.
23 Feb 17, Sandy (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my JA's last year (late) and didn't harvest them. This year thaey have gone mad. The article says 1.5m tall. Mine are 2.5mts+ with plenty of flowers. Looking forward to harvesting them I don't think I have ever eaten them before. Anyone have good preparation/cooking tips for them?
14 Jan 18, Warren (Australia - arid climate)
In New Zealand (where Jerusalem Artichokes are also known as "Kiwi Yams") we roast them with a leg of lamb, sweet potatoes, parsnips, swedes and pumpkin.
25 Feb 17, Ruth L. (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Sandy, careful JA's are verye invasive, my husband calls them "*artyjokes" for obvious reasons.... my favourite is frying the peeled and thickly sliced roots in olive oil/butter with heaps of homegrown garlic cloves, add pepper and salt ....yummmo!! Jamie Oliver has a beef stew recipe that has JA's, its gorgeous, search for "Jools favourite beef stew or casserole online
24 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
There are numerous recipes on the internet. Google Jerusalem Artichoke recipes. Roasting, boiling, soups, stews, etc. Pick some of the stems for cut flowers. They are bright and cheery.
17 Feb 17, Deborah Wells (USA - Zone 7a climate)
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.
28 Jan 17, julianne simon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When should i see the flowers bloom. My sunchokes are growing very tall, look amazingly healthy, but no flowers yet on January 28.
04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Generally tubers do't form on plants like sunchokes and potatoes until after flowering. As with potatoes there will be some forming but they will be immature and not keep. Trust this helps.
20 Jan 17, Jackie Klever (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live in Ahipara, 90 Mile Beach. Where can I buy the seeds or seedlings? Cannot find any up here.
15 Feb 17, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I bought mine off the internet.
Showing 161 - 170 of 301 comments

Could I grow Jerusalem Artichoke in the desert? Any suggestions?

- Ethelyn Schaeffer

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