Getting Started With Jerusalem Artichokes

Despite their misleading name, Jerusalem artichokes are perennial sunflowers, not artichokes,  typically grown for their tubers with the flowers being an added bonus. Jerusalem artichokes are grown like annual sunflowers: plant them in neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun and in warm weather. To determine your soil pH see Tips for Testing Soil pH at Home with a Soil pH Meter. Water Jerusalem artichokes like sunflowers: water deeply, then let the soil dry down between waterings. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant. See Watering Sunflowers for Maximum Seed Production for additional information.

Jerusalem artichokes can have white, pink, or red skins. Recommended varieties include Clearwater, Nakhodka, and Waldspinel.

Like annual sunflowers, Jerusalem artichokes are planted in spring, but unlike sunflowers, they are are grown from tubers. Plant tubers several inches deep, at least 10-18 inches apart. Jerusalem artichokes can become extremely invasive in your garden, sprouting many vigorous plants from one small tuber left in the ground. Once planted, they can become difficult to remove or contain. GardenZeus recommends planting Jerusalem artichokes in a container, or separate garden area that is sectioned off from their larger garden, to prevent them from colonizing the garden. In general, Jerusalem artichokes  produce smaller tubers in areas with moderate winters and larger tubers in areas with colder winters.

Jerusalem artichokes are known to cause extreme flatulence, gas, and digestive pain in some people. Try eating small amounts first to see how your digestive system responds to the tubers.

Jerusalem artichokes can be eaten raw or cooked.  Use them in cooking as you would a potato, but with a slightly sweeter and and nuttier flavor.

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