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

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Plant distance

60 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

10 cm

Instructions

End of March

Weeding

Every week

Description

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

Growing tips

Jerusalem artichoke is normally cultivated as an annual. It is undemanding and does not make any great demands on its location, although it can also be grown in nutrient-poor soils. It follows crops that leave loose soil very well in the crop rotation. Waterlogging should be avoided. Although Jerusalem artichoke prefers sunny locations, it is equally at home in partial shade. During very early planting, the young Jerusalem artichoke plants can be covered with fleece to accelerate 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. This means that the rows are mounded up to accelerate tuber sprouting and make it easier to harvest the tubers later. When the leaves fall off (collapse), the tubers are ready for harvesting. For harvesting, the tubers are pulled out of the ground by the stem or carefully dug up with a garden shovel. Jerusalem artichoke tubers are extremely hardy and can withstand even severe frosts in the ground. It is therefore also possible to overwinter them and harvest them the following spring (before new shoots appear!). The soil should be covered with straw or leaves in order to be able to harvest even in frosty weather. Jerusalem artichokes can be grown in the same location for several years.