jerusalem artichokes

[goldendaisy123]

Hello.
I've been given some Jerusalem Artichokes.
I've never eaten them or grown them before so not sure where or when i should be planting them  ::)
How tall do they grow and when are they ready?
Thanks!

[goldendaisy123]

[Vortex]

Jerusalem artichokes can be invasive and need controlling - any tubers left behind will regrow and spread so plant them in a contained bed if possible.

They should be planted now. Use a bulb planted, make a hole, drop the tuber in the bottom, replace soil plug. plant 12" apart and between rows - best grown in a block.

When ready they're 0 feet high - they're a tuber. However, their stems grow upto 10ft and need securing against strong winds - which is where block planting helps. Just place 4 posts, one at each corner of the block and a batten between each at 3ft off the ground.

When the stems die off in November cut them down. Did the tubers as required through the winter. Remove all tubers by the beginning of February and replant what you need.

[sawfish]

Yup, I plant mine at the back so they dont shade everything behind them. I plant them like potato's but without the ridging up, manure and about 12 inches apart.

I like to use the stems as canes the year after so I dont cut them, stripping all the leaves has the same effect, allowing the tubers to swell.

They look like sunflowers as they're in the same family 'Jerusalem' sounds like 'Girasole' (Italian for sun) but with a tiny sunflower at the top.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Mine never spread - it may depend on the variety - but they grow about 8 feet tall, cast a dense shade, and fall over so some support round the edge of the bed would be a good idea.

[artichoke]

I cut mine back into a neat hedge when they grow too tall. They screen my compost heap, which is not a thing of beauty.

[Eristic]

The main reason for them having a reputation for being invasive is so many gardeners don't dig them all up each year. If you dig a few and leave the rest you will create problems later. Although they are tough survivors and grow in poor soil, you get far better tubers if time is taken to prepare a good bed for them to grow in.

They can be cut back when getting too tall but I prefer to provide robust supports and leave them to their own devices. Tubers are ready once the top growth dies. For pictures see my website. downtheplot.com/jerusalem.php

[saddad]

That's a really good website you are running there Eristic.
;D

[goldendaisy123]

Thank you everyone for your advice.  I'm not really sure if i have the room now I've seen your pictures Eristic :(  as I'm only working on a half plot, but may try and put a few at the back of my lottie with some support.

[Old bird]

Goldendaisy - do give them a try!  They really don't take up a huge amount of space and they are so delicious!!

They are currently "in vogue" with both Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley Whiitting-thingy.  They are so good for you and they taste so delicious!  In a soup they are delicious and roasted they are nutty and gorgeous.

I grew a couple of rows last year and there was a massive harvest from them.  Far too many for work who got deluged with them so I took them to a friend's shop and they said they would try them - I sold about 40lbs of them over 3 weeks and could have sold many more - The shop gave me £25 for my efforts and everyone was happy.  The money goes into the pot for more seeds - pay for the polytunnel etc.  So a great result and wouldn't be without them!

So give them a chance and see what you think of them!

Old Bird

;D

[Barnowl]

They are very heavy croppers - I don't know the size of your family but I would start with no more than 6 sq ft.  I started with 6ft x 3ft  and am now halving the bed.

It's a lot easier to start small and get bigger than later clearing a bed which has had JA's in it.

Also, if you have raised beds,  avoid planting any near to the edge of the bed, they'll grow underneath the edges.

[Multiveg]

Use them as a windbreak..... but beware, they release it later...!  ;D

[cleo]

The main reason for them having a reputation for being invasive is so many gardeners don't dig them all up each year. If you dig a few and leave the rest you will create problems

I couldn`t agree more-I`ve been banging on about that for ages.

And they taste good raw as well-sort of like a waterchestnut to me