Jerusalem artichokeHelianthus tuberosus

Jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem artichokes

1. Helianthus pubescens
2. Helianthus esculentus
3. Helianthus doronicoides
4. Helianthemum tuberosum
5. Helianthus tuberosus f. moldenkeanus
6. Helianthus subcanescens
7. Helianthus tuberosus var. multituberculatus
8. Helianthus tuberosus var. nebrascensis
9. Helianthus tuberosus var. typicus
10. Helianthus tuberosus var. albus
11. Helianthus tuberosus var. alexandri
12. Helianthus strumosus subsp. tomentosus
13. Helianthus tuberosus var. fusiformis
14. Helianthus tuberosus var. purpurellus
15. Helianthus tuberosus f. oswaldiae
16. Helianthus tomentosus
17. Helianthus tuberosus var. subcanescens
18. Helianthus tuberosus var. purpureus
19. Helianthus serotinus
20. Helianthus spathulatus

1. sunroot
2. sunchoke
3. earth apple
4. lambchoke
5. topinambur
6. topinambour
7. Canadian sunflower
8. Jerusalem artichoke

1. sunroot
2. sunchoke
3. earth apple
4. lambchoke
5. topinambur
6. topinambour
7. Canadian sunflower
8. Jerusalem artichoke

1. Jerusalem artichoke
2. sunroot
3. sunchoke
4. earth apple
5. lambchoke
6. topinambur
7. topinambour
8. Canadian sunflower
9. Helianthus tuberosus

1. Angiosperms
2. Eudicots
3. Asterids

Aster family

1. Helianthus annuus

1. Tubers
2. Root

1. Taskharvest_tubers

   Label

   Harvest tubers

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1

   ConditionBoden frostfrei

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Jerusalem artichoke tubers can remain in the ground all winter and be harvested as needed, as long as the soil is not frozen.

1. Taskharvest_tubers

   Label

   Harvest tubers

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 2

   ConditionBoden frostfrei

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Last opportunity to harvest before new growth. Do not harvest all tubers to allow for self-seeding or for next season's planting.

1. Taskplant_tubers

   Label

   Plant tubers

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3

   ConditionBoden bearbeitbar, kein starker Frost mehr

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Plant tubers in well-prepared soil. Spacing 30-50 cm in the row, 60-100 cm between rows. Planting depth 8-15 cm.

2. Taskharvest_tubers

   Label

   Harvest tubers

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 3

   ConditionBoden frostfrei, vor Neuaustrieb

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Final harvest before new plants emerge.

1. Taskplant_tubers

   Label

   Plant tubers

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionBoden bearbeitbar

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Late planting of tubers.

2. Taskweed

   Label

   Weed

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionJunge Pflanzen sichtbar

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young Jerusalem artichoke plants are initially sensitive to weed competition.

1. Taskweed

   Label

   Weed

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionRegelmäßig

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Regular weeding promotes Jerusalem artichoke growth.

2. Taskwater

   Label

   Water

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionBei Trockenheit

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Ensure adequate water supply, especially during dry weather.

1. Taskwater

   Label

   Water

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionBei Trockenheit

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Important for vigorous growth.

2. Tasksupport_plants

   Label

   Support plants

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionPflanzen erreichen Höhe

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Tall varieties can be blown over by wind. Stakes or fences provide support.

1. Taskwater

   Label

   Water

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionWährend der Knollenbildung

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sufficient water supply is crucial for the development of large tubers.

2. Tasksupport_plants

   Label

   Support plants

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionPflanzen wachsen weiter

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Regularly check the stability of supports.

1. Taskwater

   Label

   Water

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionWährend der Knollenbildung

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Continued watering is important for tuber development.

2. Tasksupport_plants

   Label

   Support plants

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionPflanzen erreichen volle Höhe

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Good support is essential, especially in windy locations.

1. Taskwater

   Label

   Water

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionBei Trockenheit, bis Blätter vergilben

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Plants begin to focus on tuber maturation.

1. Taskharvest_tubers

   Label

   Harvest tubers

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionNach dem ersten Frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   The first frost improves the flavor of the tubers. Harvest as needed.

2. Taskcut_back_stalks

   Label

   Cut back stalks

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionSobald abgestorben

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Dead stalks can be used as mulch or removed for easier harvesting.

1. Taskharvest_tubers

   Label

   Harvest tubers

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 11

   ConditionBoden frostfrei

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Continued harvesting as needed.

1. Taskharvest_tubers

   Label

   Harvest tubers

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 12

   ConditionBoden frostfrei

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest possible during mild weather.

Jerusalem artichoke prefers a sunny location but also tolerates partial shade. A sheltered spot is advantageous due to its height, to prevent stalks from breaking in wind.

1. Deep
2. Humus-rich
3. Sandy loam

Jerusalem artichoke is undemanding but prefers deep, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. Waterlogging must be avoided, as it can lead to tuber rot.

Regularly, especially during dry spells and tuber formation.

A layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture and reduce watering efforts.

Incorporate plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting. During the growing season, an additional application of organic liquid fertilizer can be beneficial.

As a heavy feeder, Jerusalem artichoke requires good nutrient supply to achieve high yields. Balanced fertilization promotes tuber development.

Jerusalem artichoke spreads vigorously via its tubers and can become invasive. A root barrier or a dedicated, confined area is recommended to control its spread. Avoid planting in beds where other crops should not be overgrown.

1. Voles and mice
2. Slugs

1. Fungal diseases (e.g., Powdery Mildew, Sclerotinia Rot)

1. Install root barriers to prevent uncontrolled spread.
2. Ensure good soil drainage to avoid tuber rot.
3. Maintain sufficient plant spacing for good air circulation.
4. Implement protective measures against voles (e.g., wire planting baskets).

Look for feeding damage on tubers (voles) or young shoots (slugs). Leaf discoloration or coatings indicate diseases or nutrient deficiencies. Soft, rotten tubers point to waterlogging or rot.

1. Slugslugs

   Severitylow_to_medium

   Conditions

   1. Humid weather
   2. Young shoots

   Affected parts

   1. Young leaves
   2. Stems

   Prevention

   1. Garden hygiene
   2. Mulch layer not too thick around young plants
   3. Slug collars

   Organic control

   1. Hand-picking
   2. Slug traps
   3. Iron phosphate pellets
2. Slugrodents_voles_mice

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Presence of rodents
   2. Light, loose soils

   Affected parts

   1. Tubers

   Prevention

   1. Wire planting baskets
   2. Deep planting
   3. Encourage natural predators

   Organic control

   1. Vole traps
   2. Repellent plants (e.g., Crown Imperial)
3. Slugpowdery_mildew

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. Drought followed by humidity
   2. Dense stands
   3. Late summer/autumn

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Stems

   Prevention

   1. Sufficient plant spacing
   2. Good air circulation
   3. Choose robust varieties

   Organic control

   1. Remove affected leaves
   2. Spray milk-water mixture
   3. Horsetail decoction
4. Slugsclerotinia_rot

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Moist, heavy soils
   2. High humidity
   3. Injuries to tubers/stems

   Affected parts

   1. Tubers
   2. Stem base

   Prevention

   1. Good soil drainage
   2. Avoid waterlogging
   3. Plant spacing
   4. Crop rotation (if applicable)

   Organic control

   1. Remove and destroy infected plants and tubers
   2. Soil hygiene

1. Symptom

   Feeding damage on tubers

   Possible causes

   1. rodents_voles_mice

   First checks

   1. Look for vole tunnels
   2. Set traps
2. Symptom

   Feeding damage on young shoots/leaves

   Possible causes

   1. slugs

   First checks

   1. Look for slugs at night
   2. Set slug traps
3. Symptom

   White, powdery coating on leaves

   Possible causes

   1. powdery_mildew

   First checks

   1. Check air circulation
   2. Assess plant density
4. Symptom

   Soft, rotten tubers or stem base

   Possible causes

   1. sclerotinia_rot
   2. waterlogging

   First checks

   1. Check soil moisture and drainage
   2. Remove plant debris

1. Tuber planting (March-April)
2. Vegetative growth (May-August)
3. Flowering (September-October)
4. Tuber formation and maturation (July-November)
5. Harvest/Winter dormancy (October-March)

Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial plant whose tubers overwinter in the ground and sprout anew in spring. The aerial parts die back in autumn after the first frost.

Late summer to autumn (September-October)

Sunflower-like, yellow flower heads on tall stalks.

Flowering occurs relatively late in the year, often just before the first frost. The flowers are a good food source for late-season insects.

October to March (after the first frost until new growth)

Carefully lift tubers from the ground with a digging fork. Do not harvest all tubers to allow for self-seeding for the next year.

The flavor of the tubers improves after the first frost. They can remain in the ground all winter and be harvested as needed, as long as the ground is not frozen.

Continuously as needed from autumn to spring, as long as the ground is not frozen.

1. Dieback of aerial plant parts after the first frost
2. Tubers have reached a firm consistency

Gently brush off soil from tubers, but do not wash if they are to be stored. They dry out quickly and should be processed or stored promptly.

Best left in the ground and harvested as needed. Alternatively, store in moist sand or sawdust in a cool, dark place (root cellar) or in the refrigerator.

Jerusalem artichoke tubers have a thin skin and dry out quickly. Storing them in the ground is the best method to maintain their freshness.

Root vegetable (in-ground / cool and moist)

In-ground: several months (all winter); Cool and moist: 2-4 weeks; Refrigerator: 1-2 weeks; Room temperature: a few days.

1. Freezing (blanched)
2. Pickling
3. Drying (chips)
4. Pureeing

1. Peeling (often difficult due to irregular shape)
2. Scrubbing (if skin is eaten)
3. Boiling
4. Steaming
5. Roasting
6. Frying
7. Pureeing
8. Raw in salads

To prevent peeled tubers from browning, place them immediately in lemon water.

1. Soups and cream soups
2. Purees (often mixed with potatoes)
3. Roasted vegetables
4. Chips (thinly sliced and fried or baked)
5. Salads (raw, finely shaved)
6. Side dish for meat and fish
7. Stir-fries

Nutty, slightly sweet, earthy, reminiscent of artichoke hearts or salsify.

Jerusalem artichoke is rich in inulin, which gives it a slightly sweet note and makes it interesting for diabetics. However, inulin can cause flatulence in some people.

1. Tubers (stem tubers)

1. Leaves and stems (not suitable for consumption)

The plant is not toxic. The high inulin content of the tubers can cause flatulence and digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals, especially when consumed raw or in large quantities.

Yes, in moderation. Finely sliced or grated in salads. For sensitive stomachs, raw consumption should be limited.

Not common for home gardens. Jerusalem artichoke is primarily propagated vegetatively via tubers.

Although Jerusalem artichoke produces seeds, they are often not true-to-type, and germination rates can vary. Propagation via tubers is simpler and more reliable.

Cross-pollinated (by insects)

For true-to-type seeds, an isolation distance of at least 800 meters from other Jerusalem artichoke varieties or wild forms is required. Alternatively, hand-pollination or isolation with insect netting can be used.

Seeds mature in the flower heads after blooming. The bracts turn brown and dry.

Allow flower heads to dry, then extract seeds and separate from chaff.

Store dry, cool, and dark. Seeds require cold stratification for germination.

Germination of Jerusalem artichoke seeds can be irregular and requires patience. Most gardeners prefer vegetative propagation.

Jerusalem artichoke is a herbaceous plant and does not require specific woody training systems or rootstocks.

The late flowering of Jerusalem artichoke in autumn provides an important food source for bees and other insects when other flowering plants have already faded. The tubers in the ground serve as winter food for voles and other rodents, which can be undesirable in gardens.