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 8°C and 15°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 45 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomatoes, cucumbers

Your comments and tips

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?
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.
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.
23 Apr 19, Shane Rudolph (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Helen, could I get your contact number please.
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
31 Mar 19, Helen Peipi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you still need some j/a, the bottom leaves are slowly going btown
18 Mar 19, Lyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My boysenberry and blackberry plants are 'running rampant' I 'nipped' the ends out but now there is twice as many shoots going everywhere. Should I cut back now to encourage the 'bits' that will fruit next season or wait for autumn
09 Feb 19, Lyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My first year JAs are well over 2 meters with no sign of flowers, have I given them too much water or does this mean a huge first crop?
10 Feb 19, mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I think you need to read the notes here. You eat the root in the ground - nothing to do with the flower I feel. Probably too much nitrogen and watering to have 2m plants.
13 Mar 19, Lyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Thanks Mike, yes I know to eat the tubers [luv them, my Father always had them in the vege garden-many years ago] think from your answer I may have watered too much. Was hoping as they had grown so tall that the tubers would be more, but...... I have read somewhere since posting my query, that if one stops them flowering a bigger crop is produced?
Showing 21 - 30 of 45 comments

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!

- Tina

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