How to grow Jerusalem Artichoke

Helianthus tuberosus

A sunny position and water. The plants harvest of tubers will adjust accordingly, less water, less and smaller tubers.

The leaves of the plant can be mildly abrasive to the skin, any plants that are in the immediate vicinity may suffer from the effect of leave rubbing.

The stalks of the sunflower are reasonably strong. If the tubers are spaced at 50+cm at planting time, the stalk will be approx 3cm in diameter. They would easily hold up a climbing bean with no ill affect, and with little detriment to the tubers. Plant the beans approx The abrasive leaves may be an issue.

If substituting for corn in 3 sister plantings, it’s been suggested to plant the squash 90cm away to allow the tubers to attain a good size.

Growing Jerusalem artichoke from seed

Grown from the tubers. Store the tubers in a cool area to avoid them from drying out.

Ensure a distance of 11.7 inches (30.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 3.9 inches (10.0 cm).

Transplanting Jerusalem artichoke

Pick an area where they can be left to take over, or one where they can be contained.

The plants will regrow from any tubers or parts thereof that are left behind from the harvest.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Jerusalem artichoke is a very hardy plant.

Harvesting Jerusalem artichoke

Tubers will grow radially from the plant at a depth of approx 100mm, Dig as for potatoes and eat the cut ones first!

How long does Jerusalem artichoke take to grow?

These estimates for how long Jerusalem artichoke takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Jerusalem artichoke to germinate?
494 days

Average 494 days | Min 494 days | Max 494 days (1)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Jerusalem artichoke?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Jerusalem artichoke is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 143 days

Average 143 days | Min 74 days | Max 1206 days (3)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Jerusalem artichoke?
= days

Jerusalem artichoke Etymology

The botanical epithet is from the Latin helianthus meaning “sun-flower” The botanical epithet is from the Latin tuberosus meaning “tuberous”

Jerusalem artichoke Folklore & Trivia

The flavour is meant to be similar to Artichokes. The name Jerusalem possibly derives from the italian word for sunflower Girasole which with time adopted the pronunciation Jerusalem.

They can be known as fartichokes due to their tendency to produce wind or gas as part of the digestive process.

A liquor made in Baden-Wortthemberg, Germany, out of Jerusalem Artichoke roots is called Topinambur.

Other names for Jerusalem artichoke

Sunchoke, Sunroot, Topinambour

Footnotes


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