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 8°C and 15°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 45 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomatoes, cucumbers

Your comments and tips

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16 Sep 13, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings are selling them at the moment, pack of 8 tubers
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26 Aug 13, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Its been 50 years since I grew Jerusalem Artichokes. But supermarkets and nurseries in Perth (Western Australia) look at me stupid when I ask about them Eastern States outlets are prohibited in sending them to WA. Is there anyone in the Perth Metro area that has these? I would like to beg, borrow, buy or steal at least one tuber to get me going again. In the past I grew them in the UK, they grew like weeds and can be hard to get rid of if not controlled. They grow just about anywere. A case of try them. If they grow, good, if not, bad.
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19 Jul 14, Tara (Australia - temperate climate)
The florist at the farmers market in Leederville (every sunday) sells jerusalem artichokes for both seed and eating.
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09 Sep 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
Go to Swansea market on Swansea street Victoria Park. It's a left off Albany highway into Oats street then first right, if you're coming from the north. Anyway they sell Jerusalem Artichokes for food, don't know if they will sprout, but it may be worth a look if you're in the area.
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26 Aug 13, Boohoo (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can they be grown in large pots? I know they grow well here in this climate (Hobart), in the ground at least.
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28 Aug 13, Afrikah (Australia - temperate climate)
Yep, they can be grown in pots. Tubers can be purchased from Bunnings (gardening section) all required info on pkt
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10 Aug 13, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Was wondering where I would be able to find the artichoke tubers in the Toowoomba area of Queensland?We are about 35 kms NW of Toowoomba and I do know they grow well in our black soil. I love them and have heard they are great for diabetes which I have.
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20 Aug 13, Danielle Jones (Australia - temperate climate)
Have you tried looking for them at your local Woolworths/Coles? That's where I found the tubers I grew last year. Good luck!
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14 Aug 13, Sherrie Cordie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Helen - Happy to sell you some tubers, how many would you like? They should grow really well in the Toowoomba area (I lived there for years myself) as the soil and climate is very similar to where I live here in Victoria. If you're interested please e-mail me. (N.B. from Gardenate team. We do not publish email addresses unless they are part of the comment - Liz)
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10 Jun 13, Peter hallam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. I have just purchased a kilo of JA at our local Supermarket. If I plant each tuba now (June 2013) without any shoots on them, when could I expect a crop for eating? Is the supermarket the best place to buy JA for propagating?
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Showing 81 - 90 of 169 comments
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I've been growing these for some years now and am a huge fan. Absolutely LOVE them. So do my chickens, turkeys, horses, sheep, cattle and dogs. All except dogs will eat tops and tubers. Dogs only eat the tubers. Cats don't much care for any part of them tho. Cooking tips: I like them best roasted. Cut into 1" x 1" (2cm x 2cm) or so, put on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive or coconut oil, salt, pepper maybe a little basil or rosemary. Roast at 350F (180C) for 25 - 40 min. They come out about the same consistency as roasted garlic - almost like a paste. Use on a nice cracker with a small slice of cream cheese. Side with a glass of a nice, oaky Chardonnay, a good movie and a sexy friend. I'm done. Night, night. Growing tips: don't do anything to them except give them water and some good manure. If you want to get fancy, cut off the flowers and put them in a vase in the kitchen. (Stripping the flowers puts more energy into the tuber production.) Ungrowing tips: If you want to get rid of them, mow them off once a week and don't water. Turn out pigs or chickens. They will dig up every living morsel and consume it. CAUTION! Do NOT use a rototiller on them. It cuts the tubers into microslices and only encourages them to propagate. Enjoy your sunchokes. They are a gift from the gods.

- Deborah Wells

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