Last year we got Jerusalem artichokes from our local organic farm and I loved them. So I decided to grow them myself.
We did some alterations in our garden, which gives me an extra two vegetable beds, yay. Of course, these need to be filled and as I want to grow more perennial crops, my decision was fairly easy.
Not only did I really like the taste of Jerusalem artichokes, but they are also incredibly healthy and fantastic for your gut microbiome, as they contain compounds the beneficial bacteria feed on. (Sasaki et al.,2020)
And given that I got them from a local organic farm who grow them, I knew you can grow them in this country, but I still didn’t know how.
So I did a lot of research and here I share with you how to grow Jerusalem artichokes in the UK.
Not From Jerusalem, And Not Artichokes
But first, let’s clear up something. They aren’t artichokes and have nothing to do with Jerusalem. These perennial plants are part of the sunflower family and are native to Europe and North America.
So why are they called that? Nobody really knows, but one theory suggests that the Italian name for sunflower, girasol, was transformed to Jerusalem by other Europeans.
And because they taste similar to globe artichokes, which are also in the same family, they have been given that name. At least that is one theory, which does sound plausible.
Whatever the reason for the confusing name, as part of the sunflower family, they will not only provide you with delicious knobbly, bumpy tubers, but also beautiful yellow flowers in late summer to early autumn.
Choosing The Right Variety
As a perennial crop, Jerusalem artichokes will come back every year, providing you with vegetables in winter when not much else grows. But they are also seen as invasive, which means they will take over, similar to raspberries or mint.
For that reason, most gardeners give them their own bed, which is what I’m planning to do. But because they are related to sunflowers, they will grow quite tall, up to several meters, which can be a bit of a problem if you don’t have much space.
You don’t want them to take away too much sun from your other veggies. However, there is a dwarf variety available that grows less than a meter, which is more reasonable for smaller spaces, or even for container growing.
So depending on the space you have available, you choose the variety:
- Jerusalem artichoke Fuseau: classic variety that can grow up to 3m (10ft) tall and can provide a great natural windbreak. The tubers have smooth, thin skin, making them easy to peel. It will spread out quite a bit, so you need to have a big bed.
- Jerusalem artichoke Small Wonder: this dwarf variety grows to a more modest hight of 80cm (31in) and the tubers will cluster around the plant, rather than spread further afield. Ideal for gardeners who have less space or to be grown in containers.
Based on the characteristics of these two varieties and your garden or allotment, you can choose the one that fits your circumstances best. Although we have quite a big garden, the taller variety would take away too much sun from our other vegetable beds.
Therefore, we have decided to go with the dwarf variety, but still give a bed or two over to them so we can have a good yield every year.
How To Grow Jerusalem Artichokes In The UK Step-By-Step
The good news is that this perennial vegetable is very easy to grow as it doesn’t need much maintenance. This means, once the plant are established, there isn’t that much to do for you.
One huge bonus advantage and what attracted me to this plant is that you harvest in winter, when there is hardly anything to harvest in most vegetable gardens.
So let’s get down to it…
Step 1: Planting The Tubers
Unlike most other vegetables that are sown from seed, like tomatoes, cucumbers and co, Jerusalem artichokes are grown from tubers, like potatoes.
You plant out the tubers in late winter to early spring, so between January and April.
Selecting the right spot is important as it’ll be the plants’ forever home. They do well in full sun, but can also tolerate partial shade.
Prepare the soil of the bed or beds you have chosen by digging in well-rotted organic matter, such as compost. Alternatively, if you have a no-dig garden, add a good layer of mulch to the bed before planting.
While this perennial plant isn’t too fussy about the soil type it grows in, it’s important that the soil is free-draining, as otherwise the tubers will rot.
Once you have chosen and prepared the bed, plant a tuber 15cm (6in) deep with the main buds facing upwards, like potatoes. Leave about 30cm (12in) between plants and 90cm (3ft) between rows.
While this is similar for most varieties, check the instructions for your specific variety to make sure you get it right.
Top Tip: Like with seed potatoes, you can cut larger tubers into smaller pieces (no smaller than 5cm/2in though) as long as each piece has at least one bud.
If you have chosen the dwarf variety and planning to grow them in containers, make sure the pot is big enough. Their spread is about 40cm (16in), so anything smaller and you will get a smaller yield.
Ideally, you want a container that is a minimum of 45cm (18in) wide and deep.
Once planted, water well.
Step 2: Caring For Your Plants
As the young plants grow taller, provide support by mounting up soil around the plant. Start doing this when it has reached a hight of about 30cm (12in). This is less necessary with dwarf varieties, but still a good idea in windy areas.
The tall varieties will also benefit from additional support with bamboo canes if the site is particularly windy. I would recommend to provide this extra support no matter the condition to ensure the plant roots can establish well.
Like most perennials, Jerusalem artichokes don’t need much care, but make sure you water them regularly during prolonged hot and dry weather, as otherwise you get smaller tubers.
If you grow them in containers, this will be necessary during the whole growing season, as the soil in pots dries out quicker. There is no need to feed them though.
Your Jerusalem artichoke plants will start flowering in August/September, bringing some colour to your veg garden. Some people suggest to remove the flowers to encourage the plant to focus on swelling the tubers.
I wouldn’t recommend this though, because the flowers are great for pollinators and appear at time when most other flowers have finished flowering. But it’s up to you.
For the tall varieties, you can also cut back the stems to 1.5m (5ft) in late July or August, which will help protect them from wind damage. This will also remove any flowers. If you have strong enough supports, this won’t be necessary, if you want to keep the flowers.
In autumn, the foliage will start to turn yellow. At this point, cut down the stems to about 8cm (3in). Leave the stems on the bed as a kind of mulch. It will keep the soil warmer and as it breaks down release nutrients.
Step 3: Harvest Time
From October onwards, you can start harvesting your tubers. Although if you wait until after the first frost, the flavour is supposed to be better.
Harvest as you need the tubers and leave the rest in the ground. Depending on the variety, each plant will produce around 10 tubers. You can harvest them through to February.
To harvest, dig down and lift them carefully with a fork, like you would with potatoes.
You can cook them like potatoes or parsnip. My personal favourite is roasting them, but they work great in curries too.
Many people say to peel them, but I wouldn’t, because the skins will contain many nutrients. Just clean them thoroughly with a brush under water and cut off any gnarly bits.
Step 4: Following Years
To ensure that you have another crop the following year you can do two things:
- Easiest method: keep a few tubers in the ground, which will produce next year’s crop
- More involved method: dig them all out, but keep the smoothest back to replant – this has the advantage that you can plant them in different locations every year if you want
If you opt for the second method, just start at step 1 each year.
In later winter or spring, after you have finished harvesting, put a thick layer of mulch on your bed. This will suppress weeds and provide the tubers with nutrients so they can emerge strongly and healthily in spring.
As the young plants grow take care of them as described in step 2 and onwards.
Pests And Diseases
The good news is that Jerusalem artichokes are very robust plants and are unlikely to be affected by pests or diseases.
Slugs and snails might nibble at young plants, but shouldn’t cause an issue. You can protect them by putting copper rings around the emerging young plants until they are strong enough not be bothered.
- Protect your plants from slugs and snail by placing these best selling Copper Slug Rings around them. This pack contains 6 x LARGE Copper Slug Rings (17cm / 7″ in diameter)
- These solid Copper Slug and Snail Rings will last for many years and are simply placed around the plant where they form a barrier which slugs and snails will not cross. Slugs and snails hate copper because of reaction between their mucus and the copper.
- When the slugs and snails come into contact with the ring they are repelled and will crawl away. They are easy to use as a spring clip allows you to open the ring. Slip it around the stem and then press lightly into the soil. If you have larger plants, just link them together to make a bigger ring.
Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew could cause an issue in damp conditions. However, if you make sure you space your plants well apart, the risk of this is relatively low.
And that’s it, this is how to grow Jerusalem artichokes in the UK. Happy Growing!
