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

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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?
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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.
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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.
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23 Apr 19, Shane Rudolph (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Helen, could I get your contact number please.
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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
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31 Mar 19, Helen Peipi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you still need some j/a, the bottom leaves are slowly going btown
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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
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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?
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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.
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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?
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Showing 21 - 30 of 45 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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