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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13 Oct 15, Paul (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A lady I treat gave me a kilo from her communal garden, I shredded them and fermented them wìth some turkeric.At 20gm a day rdi that should last a couple of months
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17 Feb 15, Peter Dalton (Australia - tropical climate)
I keep a few of the smaller tubers in the crisper in the bottom of the fridge for next year, I place them in a fresh vegie bag which has air holes in it.
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30 Apr 14, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Easy to grow. I have success growing in Adelaide in clay soil. Only need a few tubers and you will have an abundance.
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08 Apr 14, bananabender (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've grown sunchokes successfully in Brisbane. They came up again the following year from pieces left in the garden. The secret is to make sure the soil is fairly dry (very well drained) over winter so they don't rot. If you live in the wet tropics I would suggest growing in a large tub or mounded to keep the tubers from getting waterlogged.
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01 Apr 14, Adri (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When do they normally appear in shops so we can keep our eyes peeled? We grow so much of our own produce, we don't really frequent the greengrocer's anymore.
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04 Mar 14, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi people I'm from Bundaberg as well and are very interested to find out if anybody has had luck growing JA in the district
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17 Jun 14, Kevin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey Tony, grew them in western nsw, and just got a few to try... planted a few in a small garden in a house block.... two years it was an mass of them... lol ... going to try them here out at Gin Gin, will see how they go....
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12 Feb 14, Barbara (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy tubers? I live in Winterton KZN - so would like to know the closest place where they are available.
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05 Feb 14, Kevin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was wondering if anyone had seen JA in the Bundy area? We live 80klms west.
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11 Nov 13, [email protected] (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where in South Africa can I buy jerusalem artichoke tubers?
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Showing 191 - 200 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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