{"id":1984,"date":"2020-11-03T10:37:54","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T10:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/?p=1984"},"modified":"2020-11-05T08:51:38","modified_gmt":"2020-11-05T08:51:38","slug":"how-to-grow-jerusalem-artichokes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/how-to-grow-jerusalem-artichokes\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Grow Jerusalem Artichokes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jerusalem artichokes are one of those \u201clove it or hate it\u201d<\/em> vegetables. Many people love them for their delicate flavour, their versatility, the health benefits, and the ease of growing them. Other people loathe them because of their taste, their sprawling growth – and the fact that they are very hard to get rid of in the veggie patch!<\/p>\n

However you feel about these knobbly tubers, it is always good to get an overview of the veg in question and then you can decide whether you want to grow it for yourself.<\/p>\n

Today, we are looking at how to grow Jerusalem artichokes – and how to do this in the best way possible, so that you maximise the flavour on your plate and the enjoyment of your garden. Read on to learn more on when to plant, how to plant, when to harvest, etc.<\/p>\n

Why grow Jerusalem Artichokes<\/h2>\n

\"Why<\/p>\n

1. They are tasty<\/h3>\n

The distinctive taste of Jerusalem artichoke is delicate yet unmistakeable, and it lends itself very well to other flavours.<\/p>\n

2. They are versatile<\/h3>\n

Whether you like a soup, a stew, a gratin – or just about any other type of dish you can make with a root vegetable, you can add Jerusalem artichoke to your dish.<\/p>\n

3. They are healthy<\/h3>\n

Along with the high levels of fibre, these knobbly little beauties also contain large amounts of Potassium and Iron, and they are low in calories. What\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n

4. They are easy to grow<\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t have to make much effort to fill a veg patch with Jerusalem artichokes; they grow well and flourish in most conditions, and produce large harvests.<\/p>\n

5. They grow over winter<\/h3>\n

In the depths of the cold months, when nothing much else is coming up, you can still enjoy your harvest of Jerusalem artichoke.<\/p>\n

How to grow Jerusalem Artichokes<\/h2>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

This is a very forgiving plant, that can be grow in a variety of different soils and conditions, and it will still produce well.<\/p>\n

The best way to grow them is from tubers (growing from seeds is not recommended, as it is much more difficult – and finding the seeds will also be a real struggle!)<\/p>\n

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  1. Plant the tubers into well prepared, weed free soil, at about 4-6 inches deep. You can plant them in a garden, at an allotment, or in grow bags or large tubs.<\/li>\n
  2. When the stems reach 12 inches tall, draw soil up around the bases to keep them stable as they grow. If the stems reach over 5 feet tall, you should trim them so they don\u2019t get damaged and broken by the wind.<\/li>\n
  3. They don\u2019t need a lot of water, but if the weather is very dry for a prolonged period, then your artichokes will benefit from a drink.<\/li>\n
  4. In the autumn, when the leaves start to turn yellow, prune them to about 3 inches above the ground. You can leave the prunings around the plant, to keep the soil warm and make lifting the tubers easier.<\/li>\n
  5. You can harvest your artichokes from late autumn; they will be absolutely fine left in the ground for months at a time, so you only need to take what you want to use.<\/li>\n
  6. Lift the roots carefully with a fork<\/a>, loosening the soil around them until they can be removed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This video is a great explanation on how to grow and harvest Jerusalem artichokes:<\/p>\n