Last year, I grew Jerusalem artichokes for the first time. I was a little disappointed by the number of tubers I got but since they are perennial I at least thought there was a chance of them growing again this year without my having to go out and buy myself some more.
Originally, there had been two tubers in the ground – and I deliberately left some of the crop in the ground. Happily, these are coming through, albeit in amongst other crops, which I don’t think will cause any difficulties. But we shall see.
Jerusalem artichokes with the carrots
On the other hand, I thought I had removed all of the tubers from the grow bag. But evidently not, as they appear to be sprouting amongst the broad beans.
contained artichokes emerging
At least, in the grow bag they are contained. And the broad beans don’t seem to have a problem with their neighbours. As for the ones in the ground, I am aware that they could eventually overrun the garden but in the meantime I am intrigued to see what happens!
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They make my favourite soup!
I love them in soup, too!
I’ve never grown the Jerusalem Artichoke – but I’ve been told by those that have done that they will take over. Good luck 🙂
Thank you!
Yes, Jerusalem Artichokes have marched from one end of the garden to the other over the years!
Hopefully you enjoyed them!
Yes. I am glad they are so productive!
Helen, that is another to put in the front garden…
if they don’t get enough sun to bring them to flower…
the tubers get larger…
only discovered that by accident.
Oh, do you think if I cut the stalks down before they flower the tubers will be bigger? I had read that that was the recommendation and had wondered why.
Last year, I was curious to see what the flowers looked like but I wasn’t that impressed so I won’t bother waiting this year.
If they flowered in your back garden…
then your environment is similar to here…
at Burley Model they almost never flowered.
But the idea is not to cut them down…
just cut off the flowers…
then the leaves put everything into the tubers!!
And Jerusalem artichoke makes a very good substitute for Water Chestnut in Chinese cooking…
just put peeled disks of artichoke into the stirfry at the end…
don’t let it cook, just take heat from the rest of the veg…
that way they remain crunchy!!
Yes, the micro-climate here is different from Leeds – being a garden, it might also be more sheltered anyway.
I will definitely try Jerusalem artichokes in stirfry and just make sure they don’t flower.
Awesome update thank you for sharing
What fun. I love garden discoveries. Gardening improves with time, doesn’t it?
It certainly does – one of the reasons I like it so much!
Me too!