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

19 Jul 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
They will be fine Val. You can't kill them, and they grow fast and multiply. I started with three small corms (2cm across), about 4 years ago. I now have a patch about 3 metres square.
27 Jul 12, Alan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Could you please give some advice to planting artichokes in west Aussie I live in the Perth are what is the best time to plant them where I live thanking you
16 Jan 13, Hans Rudolf Wellinger (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted mine in September in Perth, after having bought some fresh tubers in Bunnings. They are now over 2m tall and doing very well. I am not sure why they grow so well, because I have tried them unsucessful on several occasions before.
21 Aug 12, Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
I am worried about them becoming unmanageable in time and spreading into neighbouring beds. Can you contain them somehow to a small patch?
15 Nov 12, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)
Can be a pain when they do spread.. had an accident where some escaped into long grass..now I have five new plants. I grow mine in a 1/2 wine barrel. Also plant in some climbing beans to run up the stalks during summer to value add the crop.
23 Aug 12, James (Australia - temperate climate)
I brought two tubers but the wind blew the bag on the ground, one tuber snapped in half, who thinks they'll still grow?
29 Aug 12, hz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I bet they'll grow and in 2 yrs you will be trying to eradicate them lol !
21 Dec 12, granny peg (Australia - temperate climate)
they will grow. very hard to kill! follow growing tips under the Jerusalem Artichoke information.
01 Sep 12, Heather (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I promise they will grow. My tips - to harvest them only one plant at a time - or 'bandicoot' a few tubers from the side. Really fresh tubers - I mean today's - don't need peeling, just scrub. When replanting, save the smoothest tubers. I kept them going for four or five generations and managed to get an easy-peel strain going. If you have too many [and who doesn't?] goats love the tops and chickens love the tubers. Eating toast with artichoke soup tends to reduce the anti-social after-effects. Warning! If you leave a whole plant in the ground from year to year, it will still grow but you will end up with amazingly complex unpeelable tubers.
03 Sep 12, Garry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Having try'd these in the South Island of NZ,I would like to grow some.I live in NTH NSW...can anyone supply a few tubers ? Regards Garry = [email protected]
Showing 41 - 50 of 296 comments

I suggest you try them deep fried like thin chips (crisps) mum put me onto this now I cant get enough - Growing my first lot this year! G'luck every one!

- Kelly

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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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