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

02 Aug 21, Jessica (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I only plant these in containers, because they spread like wild. I have used cloth bags and terra cotta. They grew very well in both. (Zone 7)
02 May 20, Fiona Buchanan (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hello I've just been given a huge bag of Jerusalem artichokes. No problems in using them but I want to keep some tubers to plant out at then of winter /spring. Can anyone tell me how to store them until then.
08 May 20, Anon (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Plant a few them out now. As sunflowers, they are prettier in a north facing spot. They'll be fine as long as they get a bit of water. Be warned they can be quite invasive over a couple of year period if you're not careful.
06 May 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Google how to store them.
02 Apr 20, Anne (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you think I could grow these in the Wairarapa? We have frosts to about -5 in winter.
07 May 20, Christie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I’ve seen them growing in a few Wairarapa gardens - not sure if people water them but I’ve also seen them growing along side the Ruamahanga under one of the bridges so I guess it should be fine!
04 Jan 20, Elaine Brown (New Zealand - temperate climate)
hi, I found keeping the tubers in damp sawdust was ok, but the last season I dug what I wanted and left the rest in the ground over winter dug up in september and planted them out, now I have a forest of them . hope this helps
23 Dec 19, Antoinette (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I am trying to buy some j/a, but do not seem to find them for sale anywhere. Has anyone got some spare tubers I could buy? Thanks Antoinette
27 Dec 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet - like diggers and Eden seeds.
20 Jun 20, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
. I got mine posted from living-mudflower.blogspot.com, they seemed pretty good.
Showing 71 - 80 of 301 comments

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

- Denise

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