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 P

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in Australia - 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
  • Jerusalem Artichoke/Sunchoke
  • 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 1.5 m 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 - because they contain 'resistent starch' 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.
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.
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).
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
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.
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.
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.
18 Jul 11, Helen Jack (Australia - tropical climate)
where can I buy them
22 Jul 11, hz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Helen, this site says "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. " - and I entirely agree !! I bought two small ones in Safeway (NSW) in November and planted them in a boring spot, no soil preparation at all. I got ZILLIONS of them - the soil simply heaved up and when I dug, there were beautiful JA's. Mind you, I use them sparingly in the kitchen because of the side effects lol. BUT, they are a handy addition for bulk to winter dishes and stirfries, now I can pop out into the garden and dig a couple up at any time. So watch and wait for your supermarket to have some for sale, after one season you will be self-sufficient ! Good Luck
23 Jul 11, Ann (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Today I bought a net of JA tubers to plant at Bunnungs. $12 for 8. I asked about 8 weeks ago and they weren't avail. Are now, though! (23/7/11)
Showing 1 - 10 of 169 comments

Good afternoon, I've read contradicting info that jerusalem artichokes will and won't grow in the tropics. Can you tell me definitely which is right please. I have tried once to grow them in Townsville with no success at all. Are there guidelines for getting good results in the tropics or are they just not suited to the climate. Thank you Jan

- Jan Green

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