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

17 May 12, Monica (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Found this reference on another website: Tubers are difficult to store because of the thin skin which permits shrinkage and injury that leads to decay. They keep perfectly if left in the soil until needed, freezing does no damage. Although they cannot be harvested from frozen soil, tubers for spring planting are best left in place until spring. They should then be harvested and handled promptly before they sprout appreciably. Tubers should not be left in poorly drained soil. Good, sound, diseasefree tubers can be successfully kept several months in cold storage at a high humidity and a temperature of 0°C.
11 May 12, Lou (Australia - temperate climate)
I got some from a community garden. I've never tired them before. I broke them into smaller bits, washed them in water and fried them in garlic and butter. They are ok, ever so slight nutty flavour. In future I will use them to bulk up stews and soups. I have some growing as well. they are very tall, yellow daisy flowers and easy to pull up. I like them. They grow well in Adelaide.
23 May 12, Ferdi van Zyl (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Were can I find artichoke growers in South Africa. Please help
15 Jun 12, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm thinking of growing this as a fodder crop for my wiltshire sheep and ducks. Does anyone have experience with jerusalem artichokes as a fodder plant? I already have a nice health first years patch that has grown and has died down for the winter - I'm wanting to plant some of these tubers out in one of my paddocks (randomly spaced to eventually out grow some pesky weeds we have growing).
16 Jun 12, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Back in the late 40's I grew these as a youngster. My school had a "forest" of them in a field and we were allowed to take some home, where they grew like weeds in the rich Norfolk soil. I would love to find some tubers in Perth and grow them again. Must be over 40 years since I last had them. - Delicious, if a bit noisy !
18 Jun 12, Narelle (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you eat them raw?
28 Jun 12, hz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Apparantly yes, grated into a salad. But they do discolour in air.
24 Jun 12, Joey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Will the Jerusalem Artichokes grow in the Bundaberg Qld Area, And where can you buy them.
28 Jun 12, RJ (Australia - tropical climate)
I just found some in Mitre 10 in Atherton, North Queensland so trying them out. They were a staple back in southern New Zealand when I was a kid.
29 Jun 12, Jenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think I bought mine in the "Red Chiili" shop in Bourbong St, Bundy. Look in the vegie ssection of shops which tend to sell more alternative type shops.
Showing 21 - 30 of 296 comments

Apparantly yes, grated into a salad. But they do discolour in air.

- hz

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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