Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in Australia - sub-tropical 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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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)
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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.
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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.
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06 May 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Google how to store them.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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
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27 Dec 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet - like diggers and Eden seeds.
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20 Jun 20, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
. I got mine posted from living-mudflower.blogspot.com, they seemed pretty good.
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