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Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

(Helianthus tuberosus)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
			P						P

(Best months for planting Jerusalem Artichokes in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

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: Tomatoes, cucumbers

Artichoke harvest

These are the edible root of a sunflower. Plant the tubers deep enough to cover with soil. They are quite drought-tolerant, but keep well-watered to grow larger tubers. They grow through the summer to 1.5m-tall sunflowers with a smallish flower. Dig up the tubers when the flowers die down in autumn.

Get a couple of tubers from the supermarket or fruit shop. Two years after planting you will probably have enough to give away. Perennial if you don't manage to harvest all the tubers - they will regrow year after year.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Jerusalem Artichokes

Scrape clean or peel (add a tsp of lemon or vinegar to the water to stop the tubers browning). Steam, boil, or use in artichoke soup (make with artichokes and some stock). Caution - Jerusalem Artichokes are a great promoter of flatulence in some individuals.

Your comments and tips

29 May 10, Eve (Australia - cool/mountain climate): We had our first crop of these last year. Really delicious - similar to potato but with a nutty flavour.
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01 Jun 10, Andrea (Australia - tropical climate): Cooking tip: These are unbelievably delicious eaten when mashed half half with potatos. I am sorry they don't grow up where I live.
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04 Jun 10, Lara (Australia - cool/mountain climate): These are very versatile.I make soup,saute,mash,boil them. I leave them in the ground in winter and dig up as I need them. Good if you have diabetes as has inulin (mimics insulin).
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04 Jul 10, Denise (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I love these and find the best way to cook them is unpeeled and they then peel easily, with fingers, while hot. Delicious - like a cross between an artichoke heart and a kipfler potato
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15 Aug 10, Belinda (Australia - temperate climate): These are realy nice raw too. It is the first year I have grown them and they are so easy to grow with loving neglect!
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21 Aug 10, Kelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate): 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!
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13 Dec 10, Scott (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): VERY invasive, but we do have them here for sale in our community gardens
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05 Mar 11, Peri (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Have stacks of these and find they are a great substitute for bamboo shoots in a curry or stir fry. Peal, slice thinly and throw them in at the end so they stay a little crispy.
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04 Apr 11, Charlie (Australia - temperate climate): Please be careful giving advice re: diabetes. Inulin may sound like insulin, but it does NOT mimic insulin. Inulin is a type of oligosaccaride whereas insulin is a polypeptide; two entirely different classes of bichemical molecules.
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22 May 11, Mukluk (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I have found them to be almost embarasingly productive. One small root produces about 1kg of food for us.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Jerusalem Artichokes

Replying to:

Hey all, dont grow these bulbs in your vegie patch, they will take over the whole area in no time although delicious I would never ever plant them again, cheers and happy gardening

- Ruth

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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. Gardenate 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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