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 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

28 Jun 12, hz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Apparantly yes, grated into a salad. But they do discolour in air.
16 Jun 12, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Back in the late 40's I grew these as a youngster. My school had a "forest" of them in a field and we were allowed to take some home, where they grew like weeds in the rich Norfolk soil. I would love to find some tubers in Perth and grow them again. Must be over 40 years since I last had them. - Delicious, if a bit noisy !
15 Jun 12, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm thinking of growing this as a fodder crop for my wiltshire sheep and ducks. Does anyone have experience with jerusalem artichokes as a fodder plant? I already have a nice health first years patch that has grown and has died down for the winter - I'm wanting to plant some of these tubers out in one of my paddocks (randomly spaced to eventually out grow some pesky weeds we have growing).
11 May 12, Lou (Australia - temperate climate)
I got some from a community garden. I've never tired them before. I broke them into smaller bits, washed them in water and fried them in garlic and butter. They are ok, ever so slight nutty flavour. In future I will use them to bulk up stews and soups. I have some growing as well. they are very tall, yellow daisy flowers and easy to pull up. I like them. They grow well in Adelaide.
05 May 12, Russell (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
what is the best way to store them?
17 May 12, Monica (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Found this reference on another website: Tubers are difficult to store because of the thin skin which permits shrinkage and injury that leads to decay. They keep perfectly if left in the soil until needed, freezing does no damage. Although they cannot be harvested from frozen soil, tubers for spring planting are best left in place until spring. They should then be harvested and handled promptly before they sprout appreciably. Tubers should not be left in poorly drained soil. Good, sound, diseasefree tubers can be successfully kept several months in cold storage at a high humidity and a temperature of 0°C.
30 Nov 11, VIVIENNE (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
These are so so yummy! I scrub wash under running water, boil them in salted water, or steam them, they don't need a long time cooking, so do test before you strain them. I then chop finally continental parsley and garlic, sprinkle this over J A drizzle olive oil salt and pepper, and this is a great dish to have with canned tuna, olives etc etc..Oh...the gas comes free :)
13 Nov 11, nerida (Australia - temperate climate)
I got a lot from my grandfather one year but made the mistake of dishing them up to a group of friends just before we went to see a play..... those who have eaten them before can imagine the consequences. Really yummy, but unfortunately they do have a side effect not compatible with a quiet live theatre.
25 Oct 11, Ruth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hey all, dont grow these bulbs in your vegie patch, they will take over the whole area in no time although delicious I would never ever plant them again, cheers and happy gardening
23 Jul 11, Ann (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Today I bought a net of JA tubers to plant at Bunnungs. $12 for 8. I asked about 8 weeks ago and they weren't avail. Are now, though! (23/7/11)
Showing 151 - 160 of 169 comments

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