Jerusalem artichoke / Topinambur

Plant family

Daisy family (Asteraceae)

Also known as

Sunroot, Sunchoke, Wild Sunflower, Earth Apple

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Seeding distance

60 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

10 cm

Instructions

The season for this plant is over. The following instructions are for the next season.

Beginning of March

Sowing

End of March

Weeding

Every week

End of July

Harvesting

Description

Botanically, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) belongs to the composite family (Asteraceae). The inflorescences resemble those of a sunflower.

Growing tips

Normally Jerusalem artichoke is cultivated as an annual. It is unpretentious and does not make great demands on its location, and even nutrient-poor soils can be used. Very well it follows in the crop rotation on crops that leave a loose soil. Waterlogging should be avoided. Jerusalem artichoke appreciates sunny locations, but it is just as comfortable in partial shade. During very early planting, young Jerusalem artichoke plants can be covered with fleece to speed up sprouting. The tubers are placed at a depth of 10 to 12 cm. In principle, the same cultivation technique can be used as for potatoes. That is, the rows are mounded to accelerate the sprouting of the tubers and facilitate their later harvesting. When the leaves fall (collapse), the tubers have reached harvest maturity. To harvest, pull the tubers out of the ground by the stem or carefully dig them up with a garden shovel. Jerusalem artichoke tubers are extremely hardy and can withstand even severe frosts in the ground. Therefore, overwintering with subsequent harvesting in the next spring (before new shoots!) is also possible. To be able to harvest even during frost, the soil should be covered with straw or leaves. Jerusalem artichoke can be grown for several years in the same location.