Topic: Jerusalem Artichokes

[USC]

Hi Guys,

I've just taken over a plot with an abundance of Jerusalem Artichokes on it already.  They are approx. 4ft tall and I dug one up which seemed ok from the outside but was a bit on the hollow side when split open.

Are these still okay and when should they be harvested?  Please

All advice welcome.

Doug

[javahart]

Its the roots you want, not the stem! 
Unless you mean the roots were hollow?

[Chrispy]

I would not worry about what the tubers look like at the moment, you do not harvest them until a lot later when the plant had died back and new tubers have formed.

When the plants have died back, cut the stems down to 1-2ft so you know where they are, and then just dig up any you want during the autumn/winter.

[Duke Ellington]

I would love to try Jerusalem Artichokes before I grow them but never see them in the supermarkets. Does anyone know of a supermarket that sells them?

Duke

[jennym]

They aren't in season until autumn/winter, so wouldn't be in the shops anyway. I think Waitrose used to do them. Try putting a post in Swap shop here, you may be lucky!

[caroline7758]

USC, they should get a lot taller and have lovely sunflower-like flowers soon (they are related to sunflowers), which I've used as cut flowers. When you harvest them,  just replant a few tubers for next year.