Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

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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13 Jun 13 (Australia - temperate climate): JA's are the toughest of tough tubers. Wait until winter is finished and plant SIX of your tubers. They will grow through spring and summer, flower in late summer (with a wimpy type sunflower (will look wimpy compared to the sunflower you get seeds from). Where I am, in May the flowers finish, the stems die, and the earth heaves up, and one sunny Sunday arvo you dig up about five fold the tubers you planted. PLUS, you don't get them all......... without doing anything at all, for the next 15 years, you have JA's........ Good Luck...... PS Mine came from a supermarket, and I started with a dozen in 2 square meters, I have finally got them down to ONE SQUARE METRE and that's enough for us !! In Coff's you will way surpass me "hands off" endeavours of 15 years................. enjoy !
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