Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, are a fantastic choice for many home gardeners. They are hardy between USDA Zones 2 and 10, so they grow very well in Zone 6B.
These plants are a species of sunflower and produce cheerful yellow flowers, as well as edible tuberous roots. They taste somewhere between a potato and an artichoke when cooked and are often compared to water chestnuts.
Sunchokes are a satisfying substitute for potatoes for diabetics.
Jerusalem artichokes are easy to grow and come back year after year which makes them a good choice for beginning or busy gardeners.
Despite the name, this plant is native to North America and the flowers are good for pollinators while also making your garden beautiful. This is also a smart choice for gardeners who live in areas that don’t allow vegetable production. You can grow these pretty flowers and your Homeowners Association will never know that you are growing food!
Clearwater Jerusalem Artichokes
Varieties
Because Jerusalem artichokes are a niche plant, many stores will sell them without bothering to specify the variety. However, some nurseries do offer specialty varieties of Jerusalem artichokes, and there are some good options.
Most nurseries begin shipping Jerusalem artichokes in October through late winter, but the places that sell specialty varieties sell out quickly. If there is a particular variety you are interested in trying, try checking the nursery regularly in October.
Yellow
Clearwater
Clearwater is one of the best best-known types of named Jerusalem artichoke and does well in zone 6B. This variety has pale yellow skin and is so sweet that you can use them in desserts. They also work well pureed with butter or a bit of olive oil as a side dish.
Clearwater Jerusalem artichokes grow 6 to 8 feet tall and take 150 days to reach maturity.
Red
Red Fuseau
Red Fuseau is named after the red skin of its tuber, similar to a red potato. This variety has a sweet flavor and is wonderful for fresh eating in salads. Slice them thinly, and they have a crisp texture similar to a water chestnut. You can also cook them if you prefer.
Red Fuseau Jerusalem artichokes grow 8 to 10 feet tall and take about 90 days to reach maturity. This variety is very winter-hardy and also does well in northern climates.
Skorospelka
Skorospelka Jerusalem artichokes were bred in the Soviet Union and they have large but compact tubers. That makes them less aggressive spreaders than other varieties and a good choice for gardeners worried about Jerusalem artichokes taking over everything.
Skorospelka roots are a deep red color when mature, and have tan splotches on the skin when young. They grow up to a shocking 14 feet tall and take about 120 days to reach maturity.
Planting
Jerusalem artichokes can be planted in early spring. In Zone 6B, I usually plant them in March or early April.
Jerusalem artichokes grow easily and do not require a lot of care. They tolerate poor soil well however will appreciate some compost tilled into the soil before planting.
They can be aggressive spreaders so consider planting them in raised beds or containers. This keeps them from jumping into other areas of the garden where you don’t want them. Jerusalem artichokes like well-draining soil, and full sun conditions.
Plant tubers four inches deep, 1.5 to 2 feet apart, in rows spaced 2.5 to 3.5 feet apart. These plants can grow quite big and it is important to give them enough space to grow without feeling crowded.
Caring
and are considered drought-tolerant perennials. However, one study shows that drought conditions do decrease yield so watering on occasion is still a good idea during dry weather.
Jerusalem artichokes grow vigorously and often outcompete weeds. So, gardeners do not need to worry about spending a lot of time weeding. In fact, You may find yourself weeding them to keep the plants from spreading.
They grow quite tall and like to spread - two important considerations to keep in mind.
Problems
Jerusalem artichokes generally are at low risk from pests and disease, but there are a few to keep an eye out for. The US Department of Agriculture lists White Mold, a disease caused by the fungus Sclerotinia, as one of the most common diseases to affect Jerusalem artichoke.
Rotate your beds every few years and thin your plants to prevent overcrowding to reduce the chance of getting White Mold. It is very difficult to find all of the tubers a plant puts out so this may mean that you need to remove volunteer plants from your old bed.
According to the University of Kentucky Extension, Jerusalem artichokes are also vulnerable to insect pests like aphids, root maggots, flea beetles, and leaf miners.
You can manually look for many of these pests on your plant leaves, and remove leaves that show signs of pest damage. This will prevent the pests from spreading to the rest of your garden.
Companion Planting
It can be tricky to find plants that grow well with Jerusalem artichokes. This is in part because Jerusalem artichokes are so easy to grow and spread so easily, they can bully out other plants.
Like many sunflower species, Jerusalem artichokes produce an allelopathic chemical that can suppress the growth of other plants. This is great for reducing weed competition, but not so great for companion planting.
Because Jerusalem artichoke tubers are dug up each fall, you should avoid planting them with other perennials. That way you won’t disturb the roots of other plants in the bed.
I have had success planting peanuts with Jerusalem artichokes and other types of sunflowers. They resist the chemicals the Jerusalem artichokes put out, and also benefit from the weed suppression from that chemical. You can dig up the Jerusalem artichokes and peanuts together in late fall, after a killing frost.
Harvest!
Harvesting and Storing
You can harvest Jerusalem artichokes starting in early fall. However, Johnny’s recommends waiting until after a few frosts to harvest Jerusalem artichokes for the best flavor. Once cold weather has set in and the plant has withered and died, you can dig them up.
They store well in a refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to two months, but for best results, I like to harvest them as I need them throughout the winter. They keep well in the soil, and you can harvest them through early spring.
Plant Propagation
Jerusalem artichokes are a perennial bulb similar to tulips and daffodils - the plant above ground will die back every year but the bulb root will survive if not harvested. Then, it will grow back the next year. Many gardeners will harvest about 80% of the roots each fall, and then leave the rest to grow the following year.
As Jerusalem artichokes divide their bulbs every summer, you could grow new Jerusalem artichokes every year this way. In fact, in many areas in North America Jerusalem, artichokes are so successful at dividing each year that they are considered a weed.
Guest Author, Taryn Dawn, first began food gardening with her family when she was four years old and planted a patch of radishes. Now, she and her husband have a food garden on one acre in Virginia, which they have expanded over the last decade to include many vegetables, fruit, and nuts. Taryn has an MSc in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College and tries to implement sustainable production practices. Follow her on Twitter @taryndawntweets
Cantaloupes and Muskmelons are small melons that have orange or green flesh and are great for smaller spaces. Their scientific name is Cucumis melo and there are many cultivated varieties.