Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in USA - Zone 5a 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

07 Dec 17, Leanne (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in wa and found some shriveled up chokes at my local iga. I planted them and thought they had died but eventually they popped up and grew. I planted out all the tubers the next year and kept expanding my crop.That was 3 years ago. This year I have planted close to 200 tubers and gave away many more. They grow well here, just need to keep them watered in summer and you will be rewarded. To store them I layer the chokes with coarse sand in a bucket with a lid and give them a spray of water if the sand gets really dry. I am happy to share them if you live in perth.
05 Feb 18, Chi (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Leanne. Thank you very much for your information. What would be the best time to plant them in Perth. Can you give me some tubes? - Chi
16 Nov 17, Robert Boardman (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I have grown Jerusalem artichokes - sunchokes - for two years. What got left in the ground last Fall grew in the late Spring. After two days of below zero temperatures this week I harvested more than 20kg of tubers from about 15 plants. From reading articles and from growing them I learned I cannot find all the tubers when I dig in the Fall. They must be harvested in the Fall, no tubers will form until day length is less than night length.
07 Nov 17, Linda Swanborough (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy them in the Sandton, Fourways area? Thanks
08 Feb 18, Astrid (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Not sure if you have come right yet, but if not... Jerusalem artichokes will probably not be on sale until the end of the season - at the moment they are putting all the energy into the flower and won't be of a quality to sell. You can keep an eye on www.seedsforafrica.co.za and www.theseedvault.co.za, both of these sites usually have tubers available when in season.
24 Aug 17, Lynne (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Can tubers be planted in the fall and harvested the next summer like I do with garlic. We usually have a late spring so it's hard to plant until at least June.
12 Feb 18, Paul Lefebvre (Canada - Zone 6a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Jerusalem Artichokes can definitely planted in the fall. Studies show that fall plantings are, in fact, better for production as it promotes an earlier start for the plant.
30 Oct 17, rita near kamllops (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
No one responded so I will. I do not know for certain. I shop at farmer's market where 2 organic farmers grow and sell these. Both know I grow much of my own food. The guy I normally buy these from never suggested I plant any.. He had ended for the season and I purchased from the other grower. She was telling everyone to plant some of what they buy. HOWEVER she often sales pitches to clear out stock. Also they are zone 4 - 5 -along the river near Kamloops.. I'm at much higher elevation in an unpredictable area. I long ago quit buying zone 4 plants due to cold snaps that hit every few years. I'm going to try a couple roots this fall if I can get them in this week. (end Oct, 1st of Nov -the next snow might stay). If you have access to them I suggest you try a few too. All the local growers who are at warmer elevations than I start their garlic in the fall and say it needs the extra growing time. These may need the settling in time too. Trial and error is the best bet in these climates. I'm on a hillside and after 30+ years still marvel how some plants do well in one area but not 10-15 meters away. I think it's related to underground moisture. Good luck!
23 Jul 17, Joemarie Rowe (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am staying in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, where can i buy some seeds of Jerusalem Artichokes. Thank you. Have a great day
03 Aug 17, Sheena Ridley (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Joemarie, I have some tubers for you- I stay 80kms from Oudtshoorn and do come that way.Contact me by email and we can organise.
Showing 141 - 150 of 301 comments

I am worried about them becoming unmanageable in time and spreading into neighbouring beds. Can you contain them somehow to a small patch?

- Jill

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