find out out how to farm Jerusalem artichoke , both for its pretty flowers and eatable root .
John Noltner
Jerusalem artichoke(Helianthus tuberosa)is aroot cropnative to eastern North America . The comestible tuber has a flavor like to an artichoke , but is n’t at all related . The first part of its common name may descend from the auditory sensation of its name in Italian , girasole , mean “ move around to the Dominicus . ” This plantproduces many daisy - similar flowers that sway in the wind atop grandiloquent leafy radical . The tubers calculate like a cross between potatoes andginger etymon . Tubers are white or tan , but a few varieties are deep pink to burgundy . Here ’s how to turn Jerusalem artichokes in your garden .
Credit:John Noltner
Where to Plant Jerusalem Artichoke
Plant Jerusalem artichoke in sunny spots inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 - 9 . flora in group at the back of bed with other marvelous plants , create cover andfood for wildlife . The icteric flower are visible from a distance .
When growing to harvest the Tuber , embed them in rich dirt in an undisturbed area of the garden . Each fall , delve out the tubers , preferablyafter the first frost . constitute this marvellous perennial on the Union side of other plant life to void fill in the rest of the garden .
Although Jerusalem artichoke is native to the easterly U.S. country , it can grow sharply and take over garden . Once engraft in a garden , Jerusalem artichoke is challenging to remove .
Credit: John Reed Forsman
How and When to Plant Jerusalem Artichoke
Jerusalem artichokes are sell and planted as Tuber , not seed . When possible , gardeners should constitute local inventory that is conform to your growing conditions . They grow best infull sunand well - drain territory with alot of constituent thing . Buy the tuber in garden center or through vegetable garden catalogue . They are usable in fall and outflow .
embed the tubers after thelast springiness frost dateor in the declension while the filth is still workable . add together a thick mulch layer in areas with cold winter . set the tubers 2 feet aside and 4 inches cryptic . believe dedicating a bottom to them in an area where you may keep them under control . labour in the fall to glean mature tubers , and forget those not cut into to sprout in the spring . The plant develops tubers before it bloom ; these can be drudge early . The lack of heyday does not affect tuber development .
Jerusalem Artichoke Care Tips
Light
opt a spot in full to fond sun . Six hours of direct sunlight a 24-hour interval is preferable for tuber yield .
Soil and Water
Jerusalem artichokes thrive in moist soil but should be embed in awell - drain garden . Water the plant in time of drought and mulch around them tosuppress weedsand keep the soil moist .
Temperature and Humidity
Jerusalem globe artichoke get best in a temperature scope of 60 ° F to 90 ° F . In colder climates , apply a compact layer of mulch for winter security .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is n’t unremarkably require when growing Jerusalem artichokes , butadd constitutive mattersuch as compost if your stain is pathetic .
Pruning
Because these plants are so tall , they can be damage by fart , or they may shadow nearby plant . abbreviate the plant back to 4 - 5 feet in mid - summertime , and it will bush out , make a more compact plant . Tuber production is not affected .
Pests and Problems
rust fungus , leaf spot , and powdery mildeware minor problem of Jerusalem artichoke . Caterpillars are get laid to masticate on the foliage .
How to Propagate Jerusalem Artichoke
Jerusalem Cynara scolymus spread through rhizomes . Unless you harvest every shard of rhizome or tuber , those stay will acquire into unexampled plant the next time of year .
Types of Jerusalem Artichoke
There are many variety of Jerusalem artichoke , but only a few are available commercially in the U.S.
‘Stampede’
Helianthus tuberosa‘Stampede ’ is one of the most democratic varieties of Jerusalem artichoke because it matures quicker than other varieties and produce larger genus Tuber . This plant grows 8–12 groundwork marvelous , so it may require to be staked to prevent it from falling over .
‘Clearwater’
Helianthus tuberosa‘Clearwater ’ tubers are mostly smooth with creamy white-hot flesh . The tuber are mellisonant and not starchy , two characteristics that make them utile in several shipway . In improver to being run through raw or electrocute , they can be enjoyed as a dessert when caramelized . The plant life grow 7–8 feet improbable .
‘White Fuseau’
Helianthus tuberosa‘White Fuseau ’ is incredibly vigorous and fruitful , bring about up to 100 pounds of genus Tuber in one time of year . The Tuber have a fingerling flesh and can be used as substitutes for potato , whether fake , boiled , or sauteed . ‘ Fuseau ’ grows 8–10 feet magniloquent .
Jerusalem Artichoke Companion Plants
Plant Jerusalem artichoke with other marvellous aboriginal plants in a realistic garden or the back of a border garden .
Brown-Eyed Susan
Brown - eyed Susan(Rudbeckia triloba)is a North American native biyearly or short - livedperennial . It grows up to 5 feet high in sun and fond shade on many - biramous shank and with numerous yellow peak . Zones 4 - 7
New England Aster
New England aster(Symphyotrichum novae - angliae)is a common wildflower that attracts bees , butterflies , and parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant that control native pests . It can arise up to 6 foot marvelous and has flowers ranging from lavender to blue to whiten . Zones 4–8
Compass Plant
Compass plant(Silphium laciniatum)is a grandiloquent , coarse , helianthus - comparable perennial that uprise to 9 pes high . The prime unremarkably orient themselves north and south to annul the heat of the midday Dominicus . zone 3–9
Goldenrod
Taller types ofgoldenrod(Solidagospp . ) work well with Jerusalem artichoke . Small yellow flowers seem in late summertime , attracting pollinators . Zones 3–9
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tuber are used like potatoes , added to stew and soup , and can also be eaten raw . Peel them underwater and immediately put them into a liquid with vinegar or lemon . The flesh will discolor on exposure to air , although the gustatory perception is unaffected .
Jerusalem globe artichoke can be hard for some people to stomach , causing flatulence . However , if you wait until after the first frost of the season to harvest the Tuber or flash freeze down them as before long as they are harvest , they are easy to stomach . At other time of the yr , boiling them in an dose such as maize juice or vinegar mitigates this unwelcome side effect .
Credit: Greg Ryan
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Credit: Scott Little
