How Do You Plant Jerusalem Artichoke?

Growing Jerusalem Artichoke: A Guide to This Bold and Hardy Crop

If you’ve never planted Jerusalem artichoke, also called sunchoke, you’re in for an intriguing addition to your garden. These quirky, knobby tubers are as resilient as they are rewarding, thriving in spots where other crops might sulk.

Why Grow Jerusalem Artichoke in Your Garden?

The plant pulls double duty: its edible tubers are delicious and versatile, while its towering sunflower-like stems add structure and beauty to your space. Plus, it’s a fantastic choice if you love low-maintenance crops that don’t demand constant handholding.

“Jerusalem artichokes can produce around 5-7 pounds of tubers per plant under the right conditions—talk about a productive payoff.”

Choosing the Right Spot

Pick a sunny location where these plants can stretch up to 10 feet tall, as they’ll quickly dominate weaker neighbors. They thrive in most soil types but shine brightest in loose, well-draining soil.

A word of wisdom: grow Jerusalem artichokes where they can stay put for years. Once established, they can be as stubborn as weeds, and you’ll likely miss a tuber or two during harvest, starting the cycle anew.

When and How to Plant

Timing

Plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. You can also plant in late fall, but keep in mind they’ll overwinter underground.

Planting Steps

1. Prepare your soil by loosening it to a depth of at least 12 inches. Amend with compost if needed.
2. Cut tubers into chunks, ensuring each has at least one "eye" (tiny dormant bud).
3. Plant pieces 4-6 inches deep and 12-18 inches apart. Space rows 2-3 feet apart for optimal airflow and tuber growth.
4. Backfill with soil and water deeply to settle them in.

Caring for Your Growing Jerusalem Artichoke

Here’s the good news: these plants don’t fuss over your schedule. Water them during dry spells, especially in their first year while they’re setting roots. After that, they’re surprisingly drought-tolerant.

Fertilize sparingly. Too much nitrogen will encourage lanky stems instead of productive tubers. I usually toss in a bit of compost mid-season and call it a day.

Pests and Problems

Aphids occasionally show up but are rarely an issue. Deer and rabbits, however, might treat your plants like an all-you-can-eat buffet. A simple fence can save you from heartbreak.

Harvesting and Storing Tubers

The real magic happens in the fall after frost has nipped the foliage. That’s when tubers reach their sweetest flavor profile. Use a garden fork to gently dig them up, taking care not to spear the crop.

If you don’t dig them all, no worries—they’ll happily overwinter, waiting to sprout again. Store harvested tubers in damp sand or sawdust in a cool, dark spot, where they’ll keep for several months.

“Jerusalem artichokes left in the ground can survive temperatures as low as 20°F, making them one of my favorite ‘forgotten’ foods to rediscover mid-winter.”

Cooking with Sunchokes

If you’ve never tasted one, expect a nutty, slightly sweet flavor with the texture of a potato on good days and a water chestnut on hot, dry ones. Roast them, mash them, toss them into soups, or eat them raw in salads for a crunchy twist.

Pro tip: ease into sunchokes if you’re new to them. Their high inulin content can, let’s say, cause a bit of digestive “fanfare.” But don’t let that scare you off—small servings are an easy workaround.

Final Thought

There’s something wild and untamed about growing Jerusalem artichokes. They’re the rebellious relatives of the vegetable world, thriving on neglect and carving their own kingdom in the garden. If you’ve got space and an appetite for adventure, they just might win you over.

As an experienced gardener, I can confidently say that growing Jerusalem artichokes is an easy task that can bring years of beauty and abundance to any garden. It can be grown in almost any soil type, is relatively low-maintenance, and the tasty tubers that can be harvested in the fall make it a highly rewarding experience. Planting Jerusalem artichoke is a great way to add a special touch to your garden.