Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke
Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | P | P | P | P | P |
(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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.
- Space plants: 30 - 45 cm apart
- Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
- Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomatoes, cucumbers
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.
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